Tips for extending fresh cut flower vase life

FRESH FLOWERS

Fresh cut flowers are so lovely...a natural element that instantly changes the look & feel of a space.

They are perfect for adding color & texture, fragrance to your home, office or event venue.

Keeping your flowers "fresh" can be fast and easy when you follow a few simple steps.

Here are a few tips & tricks we have learned over the past 22 years growing and harvesting flowers

on our family farm in Oregon. What tips do you have to share?

Peony stems harvested and ready to ship | Flyboy Naturals grows over 80 types of peonies ranging from unique colors such as Do Tell, Gay Paree to the more traditional well known varieties such as Sarah Burnhardt, Nick Shaylor, Pillow Talk & our personal favorite Angel Cheeks!

White Peony | Several popular white peonies are Festiva Maxima, Marie Lemoine, Duchess, Ann Cousins,

Lillian Wild...We love all of them. Which is your favorite?

Coral Peonies | we grow Coral Charm, Coral Supreme, Pink Hawaiian Coral Peonies at Flyboy Naturals Farm

1. Be cool or at the very least....keep your flowers cool

keep your flowers in a space which is cool verses warm or hot...in fact, if you want to keep them from popping too quickly keep them in an air-conditioned room. The cooler the climate the longer lasting your flowers will be...looking fresh & gorgeous for days longer

2. Keep them well watered...being this gorgeous is thirsty work!

Remember to cut the stem at an angle...to keep your flowers super fresh you should repeat this every few days or so when you give them fresh water...This helps the thirsty posies drink as much as they desire...when they absorb fresh water they last longer...simple right?

3. The draft...and we are not talking football

Please remember to keep your flowers away from cold drafts...especially fans. Did you know that fans will cause the petals to loosen? It is best to also avoid placing them in direct bright sunlight this may cause your flowers to wilt prematurely.

Assorted Flower Bouquet with Iris, Daffodil, Camilla, Clematis

Hamburg Hydrangea one of the many types of hydrangea grown on our farm in the beautiful Pacific Northwest

4. Cocktails anyone? Vodka

One of the main reasons fresh cut flowers lives are cut short is due to bacteria growing in the water...when you keep that in check you will extend the life of your fresh flowers. You can add just a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of flower food to your vase of water for the best results. Flower food such as floral life works great!

5. Honey...oh sugar, sugar

If you have soda in the house you can add about 1/4 cup into your vase of fresh flowers. The sugar in the soda will extend the blossoms life. If you don't have soda in the house, you can always add a tablespoon of sugar. Our choice is organic...what's yours?

6. No gas needed!

Did you know that it is best to keep fresh cut flowers away from fruits and also other plants?

Fruit & flora can release a gas called ethylene...ethylene will also cause premature wilting of your flowers. You also want to remove any wilting flowers or dead buds and foliage from your vase of flowers each day...this will give them a shot at lasting a few more days! That is worth the extra effort don't you think?

7. Tackle bacteria...not only in your mouth but in your flower vase!

Did you know that an antibacterial mouthwash not only keeps your breath minty fresh but it is also another method for keeping your flowers fresh as a daisy! The antibacterial formula helps to reduce bacteria in the water...pretty cool! Almost every home will have mouthwash. Go ahead, try it and notice the difference in the life of your flowers.

8. Hydrate...hydrate...hydrate. Fresh water is the key.

For the best outcome you should change the water in your vase often...Did you know that lukewarm water contains less oxygen than cold water? Re-cut your stems underwater, at an angle, each time you change the water. This may help to reduce air that could form in the stem's vessels...which could block or at the very least limit the amount of water the takes up it's stem. Less water = wilting = shortened life = :-(

9. Choose flowers that make your heart happy.

When selecting your flowers choose the ones that look the freshest...just picked look! Choose by color, texture, fragrance & by all means flowers that make your heart burst with happiness! Take time to stop and smell the roses...like we do! Every day we harvest we stop to smell thousands of roses we grow for our eco-friendly petals...Here are a few of the beauties we grow at Flyboy Naturals.

10. Remember Mother's Day is almost here!

There is still time to order our fresh cut peony flowers for your wife, mom, grandmother, sister, boss, BFF. Our fresh cut peonies are stunning...available in many colors or assorted packs. Overnight shipping Fed Ex is FREE! They would be a wonderful way to let her know just how special she is to you! Call 1.800.465.5125 for details or visit our site to order http://www.flyboynaturals.com/peony-hydrangea-flow...