What is the best way to make a boquet of flowers last for a long time (especially in this kind of heat)?

Question

What is the best way to make a boquet of flowers last for a long time (especially in this kind of heat)?

Answer 1

Cool, fresh water every day. Also, cut the stems on a diagonal and immediately put them into the water. This makes sure that the stem hasn't closed up and the flowers can continue to "drink".

Answer 2

Keep them in as cool a position as possible, as this will extend their life - potentially out of bright sunlight.  

Remove all lower leaves from the stems, that would otherwise be below water level, as these will just decay, and the bacteria etc. will just be taken up into the flower stems.  

Cut off some of the stem when you get them home, this can be done underwater, if you're really determined, and this prevents air-locks, or pockets of air, rising into the stem, preventing water rising instead.  Trim the stems a little more every 2 or 3 days.  

I find it better to add cut flower nutrients and preservatives too, as this will keep them nourished, as well as inhibit bacteria, mold etc. In hot weather contamination breeds rapidly.

Overall, if you have somewhere really cool to put them overnight, use this space - you'll not miss seeing the flowers, due to being asleep etc.    Florists have chilled areas where they keep their flowers, so copying this principle will work well for you.

Keep the water topped up, and change - at a maxium - every other day, potentially alongside the stem trimming.  Some flower stems benefit from being crushed a little, though this is not a good general rule.  Cutting at an angle, just below a leaf node increases the surface area of the stem that can absorb water, so is highly recommended.

If I really need to look after them,  I surround them with damp cloth, as this helps stop the flowers from transpiring as much,  as the air around is more saturated with water.  This doesn't have to touch the flowers, merely be in close proximity, such as draping over a vase, whilst it's resting somewhere cooler.

Finally, remove any decayed vegetation as soon as it appears. Some flowers last longer than others, so separation will allow the longer lived ones to remain beautiful for as long as possible.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!  Rob