2.15.2011 2:28 PM

How to Take Care of Flowers

Whether you got flowers from a sweetie or picked up a bouquet yourself, learn how to keep those blooms beautiful.

Shopping instead of planting? Buy organic and fair trade flowers.

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Photo: Organic Bouquet

By Robert McLaughlin

Keep your cut flowers fresher longer with these simple flower care instructions:

Prepare a solution of warm water and a flower food packet, or mix 2 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice and 1 tbsp sugar per quart of water
Fill a vase with the solution to within 1-2 inches of the rim
Remove any leaves and foliage that would fall under the water line
Cut each stem at about one-half inch from the bottom, at a 45 degree angle, with a sharp single blade knife or floral clippers
Display arrangement in a cool location between 65-72 degrees and away from direct sunlight and heat or dehumidifying sources

Additional Tips:

Roses have an outer layer called "guard petals" that keep the bloom tight and protect the flower during shipping. They may appear discolored or bruised – simply remove these petals and the rose will blossom over the next few days.
Lilies will bloom over the course of several days. Remove the pollen to avoid staining. Pollen dust can be removed from the flower petals by lightly brushing with a pipe cleaner. Cut off expired lily blooms as blooms closer to the tip continue to open.
Flowers need to be rehydrated after shipment. They will "perk up" after several hours of drinking when cared for according to the instructions above.
Top off the water level daily
Clean the vase, change the flower food solution and recut the stems every two days

Robert McLaughlin is CEO of Organic Bouquet, which sells organically grown flowers that have been certified by third-party agencies, including the USDA, Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance. Organic Bouquet is a carbon neutral company, having partnered with CarbonFund.org in a carbon offset program that supports re-forestation projects in Guatemala.

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