Fresher...Longer

To keep those bouquets around for awhile, consider the following tips:

• Get flowers from a reliable source. Grocery stores may be convenient, but do not always have the freshest flowers.

• Strip away any leaves that will be below the water line in the vase--they produce bacteria that kills buds faster.

• Put a floral food such as Floralife or Chrysal into the water.

• Keep flowers in a cool spot. Avoid placing them next to air conditioners or anywhere with extreme temperature fluctuations.

• Change the water daily or every other day.

• Pluck out any wilting blossoms.
  

When flowers start to fade, cut down the stems and transfer the flowers to a shorter vase. This will help revive them.