Article Written By: Sue Both
GardenShop’s GardenGuru

With the festive season upon us, people often put cut flowers in their houses and on their festive tables. Here are a few tips on caring for cut flowers and getting optimum pleasure from your bouquets.

1. Always use a clean vase or container.
2. Fill your vase or container with tepid water. For every 1 litre of water used, mix ½ a teaspoon of Jik and a teaspoon of sugar, into the water. The Jik will prevent bacterial growth and the sugar will act as a feeding agent.
3. Cut stems with sharp secateurs, at a 45-degree angle before you place them in the vase.
4. Cut the stems back every 2 or 3 days and fill the vase with fresh water.
5. Avoid placing cut flowers in direct, warm sunlight.
6. Do not put cut flowers close to a fruit bowl or any fresh fruit. The fruit gives of gasses that will make the flowers wilt.
7. Never mix fresh flowers with older ones.
8. Remove lower leaves (leaves should never sit in the water) and damaged flowers. These can cause bacterial growth in your vase.
9. When you pick cut flowers from your garden, do it early in the morning while it is cool and the stems are actively absorbing water.

The tips above, should keep your festive Cut Flowers in tip-top shape! All that’s left to do now, is to guard your cut flowers 24 hours a day to prevent kids, cats, grandchildren, dogs and overly festive guests from bumping them over!