Keeping Flowers Fresh Longer

Contributed by The Hive Women, Overland Park

Don't miss a thing with The Hive Women and Buzz from The Hive!

CATCH THE BUZZ

---

Fresh flowers can instantly make a kitchen, bedroom or bathroom look like you have your life completely together. Unfortunately, just three days later, those same flowers might look like they've been through a wild weekend party!. Droopy stems, cloudy water and sad little petals all over the counter. But before you give up and go back to artificial flowers, try these easy tricks that can help keep your flowers fresh longer!

1. First, trim the stems at an angle before putting them in water—and use a sharp knife or scissors so you don’t crush the stems.

2. Remove any leaves that will sit below the waterline because submerged leaves can encourage bacteria.

3. Change the water every couple of days and give the vase a quick rinse while you’re at it.

4. And here’s the big one: keep flowers away from direct sun, heat and that bowl of ripening fruit on your counter. Apparently, fruit gives off ethylene gas that can make flowers age faster. Who knew the bananas were working against us??

None of these tricks requires a floral design degree or a special refrigerated room in your house. Just a few extra minutes can help that grocery-store bouquet stay pretty a little longer—and we are ALL for inexpensive things that make us happy when we walk into a room.