How To Check If Cut Flowers Are Fresh
Gerry Belvedere

Fresh flowers should feel crisp or firm. Before you buy, run your
hand under the flower heads from stem to petal tip. Proceed
gently under the petals so as not to bruise them.

If the flower vendor objects, give them a withering look and
enquire in a loud voice, "Are these flowers fresh?"

If the flowers feel soft, cool or damp, don't buy them.

Keep testing the other bunches until you find a good one. Often
there are only one or two bunches older than the others. Look and
listen. Really fresh flowers will make a soft rustling sound as
you stroke them.

As flowers age:

the foliage will start to yellow from the bottom upwards

the stems will discolor from the bottom up as bacteria spreads
from the cut

seeds or pollen on the flower head will open and shed spores

the petals will fade in colour, lose moisture, dehydrate and
eventually collapse
Remember:

Change the water daily, recut the stems often and enjoy your
flowers longer.

© Gerry Belvedere

Gerry Belvedere is a former artist who now runs her own online
florist service at http://www.rosaflora-flowers.com . Rosaflora
delivers flowers Australia wide and overseas and offers tips on
getting the most out of your cut flowers.


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