Cut Flowers

A colorful bouquet of flowers can say more than mere words. It can communicate sentiment, emotion, and even regret. “Sorry I forgot our anniversary”, “I didn’t mean to stay out ‘til 3 am”, or a simple “I love you” are means of expressing how we feel through fresh flowers. One, if not the biggest time for cut-flowers is approaching quickly -- Valentine’s Day. Whether it is the classic and timeless dozen red roses, or a last-minute-dash-to-the-store type arrangement (because I forgot it was February 14th AGAIN), here are a few things to remember in choosing cut flowers:

• Look at the petals - there should be no marked, damaged, or brown areas
• Look at the foliage - there should be no be wilting, and it should be crisp
• Look at the stem - there should be no slime and it should be in clean water
  

To make your bouquet last the longest, bring the flowers home as soon as possible. Remember, the stem is the bloom’s source of vitality. Cut a small portion of the stem off, underwater, and place them your choice of a vase filled with fresh water. Most floral shops provide a preservative to enhance the life of the bouquet. Be sure to use it, as aspirin, wine, pennies, mouthwash, and other lore, do not extend the bloom time and may be harmful. Finding a suitable location helps, too. Choose one with bright lighting, even temperatures, and no draft. Proper care can extend your colorful expression up to two weeks.

If you would like your arrangement to last even longer, consider drying your flowers for sentimental or decorative use. The Penn State Master Gardeners have information to help you do that. Please call 570-963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu and request “Drying and Preserving Flowers”.



Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
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