Tip: How to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh

A vase overflowing with roses or zinnias is a summertime delight, adding color and fragrance indoors. To keep your floral arrangements fresh and long-lasting, following these tips:

1. Cut flowers early in the morning before the temperature rises.
2. Be sure you use a clean vase, not a scummy one! Use a drop of bleach and a bottle brush.
3. The most important tip? Refresh water in the vase every two days.
4. Cut flowers from the market come with a package of preservative that will prolong the life of the bouquet. You can make your own preservative by adding 1 tbsp. sugar, 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, and ½ tsp. bleach to one quart of water.
5. Remove leaves that are below the water line to keep the water clean.
6. Keep the arrangement out of direct sunlight.

By Katie Martin and Marie Narlock