If you receive a bouquet from The Behnke Florist in a vase of water or in a container in floral foam, they will arrive with water that has already been mixed with a flower preservative.

To make the flowers last just add water at least daily, so that the end of every stem in the vase is below the water line. If the flowers are in floral foam, add enough water to keep the foam thoroughly wet and surrounded by standing water.

To hydrate flowers that don't arrive in water, give them a fresh cut with the end of the stem submerged in water. Place them in a clean container filled with water that contains a commercial flower preservative mixed according to directions. Then just be sure to add water daily so that the ends of the stems are always in water.

Giving the ends of the stems a fresh cut and adding fresh preserved water every 2-3 days is a good idea. But with our busy schedules, just being sure there is always plenty of water is the best way to keep flowers longer.