We're getting through the last few grey days of winter, and I've started bringing in more flowers to take photos with and to brighten up the studio and house before more flowers bloom outside. I've had a few requests lately about how to make cut flowers last longer, and the trick that I use is really simple.
We made these bouquets with stock and wax flowers.
To make my flowers last as long as possible, I cut the end of the stems every two or three days to keep the stems from drying out. I cut at least 1/2" off of each stem which allows the water vessels to keep carrying water up to the flower. Each time I cut the stems, I make sure they have a fresh change of water, and I add a little bit of sugar and apple cider vinegar to the water, about 2 tbsp of each to a quart of water. The vinegar keeps bacteria and mold from growing in the water, and the sugar provides nourishment for plant. Each time you change the water, remove any foliage below the water line and make sure the ends of each stems is covered by at least 1" of water.
Doing this, I can make most of my store-bought flowers last a little more than 2 weeks before they need to be thrown out. This of course isn't the only way to make sure your flowers last as long as possible, but it is what I have found works best for me. Do you have another way of keeping flowers fresh for longer that you like to use?