Caring for Mother's Day Flowers
Fresh flowers are a popular gift on holidays, with good reason--92% of American women can remember the last time they were given flowers, and fresh flowers have an immediate positive impact on happiness. Increase the lifespan of your beautiful flowers, and extend your good feelings, by following these easy steps!
- Handle your flowers carefully--they are delicate and living plants.
- Keep flowers in water, first removing any leaves that would be submerged.
- Trim the stems before placing the flowers in water. While holding the bottom of the stem, cut about an inch off the stem with a sharp, clean knife or clippers. This will allow water to pass more easily through the flower stem.
- Use a commercial flower food, properly mixed in your vase water. Make sure you follow the directions on the floral preservative packet--most packets are for either one pint or one quart of water. To increase water uptake, use bottled water.
- If your vase solution becomes cloudy, re-cut the stems and place them into a new vase solution.
- To help cut flowers retain moisture, keep them in a cool place out of direct sunlight.
- Avoid placing flowers near heated surfaces to prevent wilting.
- Keep flowers away from cigarette smoke and ripening fruit. These contain ethylene gas, which is harmful to flowers.
Written by:
Terril Nell, Professor and Chair, Environmental Horticulture Department
