You just received a breathtaking delivery of flowers from the man you love, and now you’re probably thinking about how to make their firm petals and vibrant colors last for as long as possible. Here’s how you can make your cut flowers last much longer.

First, remove the flowers from the packaging, hold the stems underwater, and cut the stem at a 45-degree angle using a sharp knife. Cutting the flower stem at this angle allows the stem to have a greater surface area for water consumption. Do not use scissors to cut the stems and do not crush the stems either; this will damage the tips and block the flower’s water intake.

Next, prepare the vase and the water. Kill any bacteria or algae that formed in the vase by cleaning the inside with bleach. If your florist does not include preservatives with the flower delivery, fill the vase with lukewarm water and add a floral preservative. You can either buy preservatives from your florist or make on your own. To make your own preservatives, mix lemon with a very small amount of bleach, or a teaspoon of sugar with a few drops of bleach.

Before putting the flowers in the vase, remove all the leaves that might be submerged in the water. Leaves have the tendency to decay when submerged underwater and when these leaves rot, they poison the water and shorten the vase life of your flowers. Arrange the flowers in any way you desire, but make sure you do not overcrowd the vase. If the bouquet is too large or the arrangement seems too tight, divide them into two and place them in separate vases.

Once you’re satisfied with your floral arrangement, keep the vase in a cool spot away from direct sunlight to avoid rapid respiration. Respiration is the process wherein living organisms age. It is helpful to note that flowers generally have a higher respiration rate than most agricultural crop. The lower the temperature of the room they are placed in, the longer the flowers will last.

Finally, take care of your flowers every day and remove wilted flowers so they do not contaminate the rest. It is recommended that you change the water daily but if you are too busy to do so, replacing the water every two or three days is fine. Make sure you add the preservative each time you change the water. You can also re-cut the stem for improved water absorption.

Silk flowers have become an indispensable part of modern day household and corporate decor. Consequently the silk flower business has boomed rapidly in the past few years, and the retail segment profits heavily from this business. Most retail businesses rely on a silk flower wholesaler who can sell them a large quantity of silk flowers. This makes finding a reliable and efficient silk flower wholesaler an essential part of the venture.

One of the first ways to ensure that the wholesaler is reliable and dependable is to ask customers who have done business with the silk flower wholesalers. Word of mouth is the best way a business develops or deteriorates. An experienced observer’s viewpoint is most often the only way one can get to know about the pros and cons of a wholesale dealer. A customer should also check the quality of the silk flower products and compare the market value of the flowers to the wholesale price. This is essential if one is preparing for a sale or an event where silk flowers would be needed in bulk.

Web sites and forums are yet another way of knowing the trustworthiness of a wholesaler. The web site of the wholesaler goes a long way into creating an image of professionalism, and hence going through the web site has its particular advantages. One can also inquire online in forums and email groups about certain wholesale florists and get instant replies regarding their reliability.

Lastly, calling the customer care representative and speaking to him/her is a practical, first hand experience. If the representative is well versed in the trade and answers specific questions, it is almost always true that the business is reliable and trustworthy. Searching for these wholesalers on search engines can also be a vital source of information regarding their reputation and service. In all, finding a reliable wholesaler can be accomplished by a variety of methods but relies heavily on the judgment of the seeker.