Fun Fact: To help keep your vase water clear, drop a pre-1982 penny in your vase!
Pennies minted before 1982 are 95% copper, which acts as an anti-fungal, anti-microbial agent.
How to Care for Your Blooms
Thank you for purchasing flowers grown locally and without pesticides! I want you to get the most enjoyment out of your blooms. Below are some tips to get the best vase life for cut flowers, listed below in order of bloom time here in Maine (USDA Zone 6a).
Tulips.
It may surprise you, but tulips only need water halfway up their vase. A high water level can promote early decay, largely because of the leaf matter that is low on a typical tulip stem. Don’t swap out the water, simply add a little if you notice the water level is getting low. Cool water is best.
Fun Fact: Tulips keep growing after they are cut! You may trim the ends of your stems if they get unwieldy, but in general, the less you fuss with tulips, the longer they last. Less is more!
Tulips will bend towards a light source, and direct sunlight will age them more quickly.
Forced tulips bloom as early as February, and generally go through May here in Maine.
Generally, you’ll want to keep cut flowers out of direct sunlight for the longest vase life.
Daffodils.
Daffodils are a cheery sign of Spring! Like tulips, they only need shallow water.
Daffs weep a sap that clouds vase water, so every few days, you’ll want to change the water and trim your stem ends. Cool water is best.
You’ll want to avoid mixing them with other flowers, because they can reduce the vase life of your other cut flowers.
They are low-maintenance to grow, and are a helpful deer deterrent in your garden.
Blooms run April to May here in Maine.
If you have indoor pets, you’ll want to keep most cut flowers out of chewing range. Some flowers are mild irritants, while others are toxic. Always Google to make sure!
Ranunculus.
You may not recognize the name, but if you’ve ever seen ranunculus, they are likely one of your top three favorite flowers! They have grace, movement, tissue-thin petals, and are known for a long vase life that can surpass ten days!
Simply cut stems at an angle and place in cool-to-lukewarm water.
Blooms run May to June here in Maine, and start to die back once temperatures are consistently above 70F.
For all cut flower bouquets, you’ll want to gently remove any foliage that would rest below the water line. This helps keep your water clear and your blooms happy!
Peonies.
Peonies only bloom for a few weeks in June here in Maine, but they offer so much drama! A simple statement bouquet can last a week or more with the right care.
Trim stems with a sharp knife to avoid crushing the stem, and place in cool-to-lukewarm water.
If you buy peonies that are still in the bud or “marshmallow” stage, you’re in luck for increased vase life! (Though if they don’t fully open after a few days, add a little warm water to your vase.)
If you are filling your vase with well water, this can affect your vase life. You may want to add a packet of flower food to your vase to support your blooms.
There are tens of thousands of dahlia cultivars, so your blooms might be smaller “Ball” dahlias, larger loose-petaled “dinnerplates,” semi-cactus, waterlily, or other forms. Colors range from blush to orange to terracotta or deep red, as well as cheery yellow, white, or deep pink. The combination of form and color are nearly endless!
Dahlias.
Dahlias are the superstar of late summer!
Cut stems with a sharp knife so as not to crush the stem, and place in cool to lukewarm water. Unlike many other flowers, dahlias take in water from the sides of the stems, so you will want to fill your vase as high as possible, making sure to remove any foliage that would rest below the water line. Keep the water level high.
Generally, Formal Decorative and Ball dahlias will have a longer vase life, as opposed to the flashier 10” Informal Decorative blooms, which may only last a few days. Because of this (and because dinnerplate dahlias tend to be more pricey), larger dahlias work especially well for a statement bouquet if you are entertaining, ideally bought the day of your event. They add an undeniable Wow factor!
Dahlias are a luxury flower, and are highly sought after for weddings as a focal flower for bridal bouquets and arrangements. Here in Maine, the earliest they bloom is usually mid- to late July, and they bloom right up until the first frost, usually in late October.
Flowers are perishable, so the way you transport your blooms can greatly impact your vase life. Since you will want to place your cut flowers in water right away, if you’re buying flowers at a market and plan on doing other errands, you may want to bring a jar of water to stick them in. If you leave your car parked, you’ll want to set your flowers somewhere in a cool spot in your car.
