Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Make Cut Sunflowers Last Longer

One of the great joys of summer is growing old fashioned sunflowers and I have some tips on how to make cut sunflowers last loonger. They are a delight to see in your garden and even better when cut for a bouquet in the house.


According to my Botanical Interests seed packet, there are a few things you can do to prolong your blooms and hopefully this will answer how long will sunflowers keep.


Tips to make cut sunflowers last longer:

 1. Cut the flowers early in the morning after the dew has dried or in the early evening hours.


2. When cutting sunflowers for bouquets, choose buds that have just started started to unfold, or flowers that have just fully opened.

3.Cut the flowers with a sharp set of clippers and make the cut at an angle so there is more surface to absorb the water.


4. Immediately put the stems into a bucket of water. Bring one along with you when you are cutting. Once inside put them in a vase half full of lukewarm water and make sure no leaves are in the water. You can add one teaspoon of sugar or 1/2 cup of lemon lime soda to help make the flowers last longer. You can also add a small dash of vodka or a teaspoon of bleach to the water but whatever you do, change the water every two days.


5. Keep the vase out of direct sunlight and away from fruit where the gases can cause the flowers to fade quicker.

Grab a packet of sunflower seeds for planting and enjoy them when they are growing and cutting sunflowers for a vase. You can see where I grow my sunflowers here.




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34 comments:

  1. I absolutely LOVE sunflowers! My dad always grew huge ones and I buy seeds for my son to grow every year but I have never grown them myself! Thanks for the great tips!

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  2. God advice and your shots are just gorgeous! Aren't sunflowers wonderful!! Such happy flowers

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  3. Very beautiful flower you've got there! Thank you for these tips that I always seem to forget:)

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  4. I say go with the teaspoon bleach and drink the dash of vodka :)

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  5. Thanks, I will definitly try, I got plenty os sunflowers this summer

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  6. Your sunflowers are so happy and pretty. They really do give a room some "happy," don't they?

    The last few years God/the birds planted some random sunflowers in our back veggie garden. None this year - but we used more sf seed in those years when feeding the birds. It was our surprise thank-you reward.

    Nature is truly fascinating, isn't it?

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  7. Thanks for the good advice! I've always been disappointed in how quickly sunflowers go bad in a vase. That is, if I can cut them before the squirrels get to them!

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  8. I love the sunny, happy sunflower!!! I have some in my kitchen too!! Can't wait for tomorrow!!
    xo Kris

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  9. I needed this last week. My sunflowers didn't last long at all. But I know now for next time. Thank you so much for sharing. I love sunflowers in my house. This was a great tip for me. Thanks again.

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  10. They're beautiful! I've heard most of those tricks but the warm water and the vodka are new to me. I wish I had some sunflowers to cut and bring into my home. They're so bright and happy. :-)

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  11. Great tips! I don't think anything is quite as happy as a big ole sunflower! Yours are just gorgeous!

    hugs,
    Linda

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  12. Sunflowers are the best. Just love them! Yours are beautiful!

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  13. Gorgeous blooms! I may just have to pin that!

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  14. Beautiful! Sunflowers are my favorite ♥ I regret not planting any this year:(

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  15. I love sunflowers, and we haven't grown them in a few years. I'll have to remind the Mister that I'd like some in the flower garden next spring.

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  16. I LOVE sunflowers!! I have fake/silk ones all over in my TV room and at the door. You have some lovely sunflowers!!

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  17. Your sunflowers make me smile. I just bought some fake ones today because I haven't been able to grow them.

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  18. Elaine - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sunflowers! Your's are beautiful.

    Judy

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  19. If someone told me they didn't like sunflowers I would have to ask myself, what on earth is wrong with them, lol, what is not to love about these darling sunny and happy flowers! Thanks for the pointers.
    (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

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  20. I always have volunteer sunflowers in our garden! Love those little guys. I dry them and use the seeds sometimes for the birds. Did you know you have floating pop up ads now on your blog? A bit annoying....

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  21. If only I had sun flowers in my garden. I have not been successful in growing them for years. I have no idea why they don't grow.

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  22. I LOVE your happy sunflowers, they brighten up the day for sure :)

    x

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  23. Lovely and thanks for the tip...I have similar sunflowers but you have far more than me! :)

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  24. Your sunflowers are truly beautiful! I enjoyed your tips about keeping them longer. I have often used the packet provided with cut flowers, but I didn't know the homemade version.

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  25. Love sunflowers. Thanks for the tips. xo Laura

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  26. My absolute favorite flower. So pretty and great tips as always you have Elaine.

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  27. Beautiful Sunflowers, Elaine. I think they are the happiest looking flowers on earth. I will keep your tips in mind for the future. Ann

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  28. Thanks for sharing the tips. My 5 year old boy loves sunflowers!

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  29. I did not know some of these tips, Elaine. These are great! There's a sunflower garden (part of a community farm) about a mile from here, and we were thinking about visiting the weekend farmers' market. If I buy sunflowers, I'll know how to extend their blooms now thanks to this post!

    I've had an emotionally challenging week this week. Your linking-up to My Happy List has made me smile today. I had great participation this week! So happy.

    I hope you have a great weekend!

    xo,
    RJ

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  30. Sunflowers are on of my favorite flowers!! Thanks for sharing these tips.

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  31. Excellent roundup of tips. I love having fresh flowers on my table.

    My readers loved your tips too. Thank you so much for stopping by and linking up.

    Check out your feature here: http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2013/07/mom-advice-72913/.

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  32. Great tips. Love your sunflowers.
    Sherry

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  33. Intersting advice, thank much, I love sunflowers, especially it color

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