Secrets to Keeping Flowers Fresh During Tet

Every Tet holiday, fresh flowers are an essential element. Colorful flowers will fill every family’s space with the essence of spring. However, knowing how to keep flowers fresh during Tet is not something everyone is aware of. Refer to the tips below to keep your flowers blooming throughout the Tet festivities.

Choosing Flowers

Carefully inspect the cut on the flower stem; if the cut is dark and dried, the flower has been cut for a long time and should not be chosen.

Careful selection of flowers is one of the crucial steps to keep them fresh for a long time. Inspect the cut area on the flower stem; if the cut is dark and dried, the flower has been cut for a while and should be avoided. If purchasing a bouquet, remove any flowers showing signs of wilting to prevent them from affecting the others.

Note: For gladiolus, chrysanthemums, and lilies, choose fresh flowers that are still in their original condition. If the flowers have been placed in ice water or refrigerated, do not buy them, as they may not bloom or may bloom poorly. Additionally, select flowers that still have their outer petals intact; when touched, the petals should feel firm and fresh.

Clean the Vase Thoroughly

It is essential to clean the vase thoroughly, especially scrubbing the inside.

Before arranging or changing the water, make sure to clean the vase thoroughly, especially scrubbing the inside to remove any slime or soap residue, as chemicals can alter the pH level of the water, causing flowers to wilt quickly. Any dirt or debris clinging to the flower stems, if not cleaned, will make the water dirty and give off an unpleasant odor.

Properly Trim the Stems

Cutting at an angle increases the surface area for water absorption, allowing flowers to take in more water and stay fresh longer.

Remove all wilted or damaged leaves, as well as any leaves submerged in water to prevent decay, which can cause the flowers to wilt faster. Keep a few leaves at the top to maintain a natural look; too many leaves will cause the flowers to lose moisture quickly. Additionally, place the stems in warm water and use sharp scissors to cut them, avoiding widening the cuts on the stems. Remember to cut at an angle to increase water absorption, allowing the flowers to stay fresh longer.

Change the Water for the Flowers

Change the water daily, preferably in the early morning. In the evening, bring the flowers outside to absorb the pure morning dew, giving them extra vitality. Each time you change the water, trim a bit of the stem to help the flowers absorb more water. Remove any wilting flowers immediately to prevent them from affecting the others.

Flower Placement

Avoid placing flowers in hot areas like near TVs or refrigerators.

Place the vase in a cool, spacious area without direct sunlight, avoiding high temperatures and direct drafts. Keep the flowers away from fans to prevent them from wilting due to moisture loss. Additionally, avoid placing them near hot appliances like TVs, refrigerators, or direct sunlight to prevent wilting.

Nourishing the Flowers

Dissolving a few aspirin tablets in the water can help keep flowers fresh longer.

You can provide additional nutrients to help flowers stay fresh longer.

Sugar: Add 2 tablespoons of sugar or 1/4 can of soda to the water, which enhances photosynthesis, helping the flowers last longer.
Vitamin B1: You can crush one vitamin B1 tablet (for 1 liter of water) and add it to the flower vase. Sugar and B1 help flowers absorb water and retain it in the stems, thus prolonging their freshness. This method is particularly effective for sturdy-stemmed flowers like roses, chrysanthemums, and hydrangeas.
Apple cider vinegar, lemon, or aspirin: Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar into 1 liter of water to increase the acidity level. Using a few dissolved aspirin tablets in the water has a similar effect.
Listerine mouthwash: Use flower water mixed with Listerine at a ratio of 15g per liter of water; this solution will help eliminate bacteria, keeping the flowers fresh longer.
Vodka: To keep flowers fresh longer, add a few drops of vodka to the vase to kill the bacteria that cause wilting.
Coins: Many may not believe that adding coins to the flower vase helps keep flowers fresh longer. However, metals are natural antibacterial agents that can help prevent flowers from spoiling.

Controlling Flower Blooming

If you want the flowers to bloom right on Tet day, soak the flowers in warm water for a few minutes if they are still in bud form. If the flowers are wilting, soaking them in cold water for a few hours will help revive them. Additionally, if you want to maintain the flowers’ original shape without them blooming and shedding petals, you can spray them lightly with hair spray, holding the can about 30 cm away from the flowers.

Other Important Notes

Upon purchasing flowers, soak them in water immediately to maintain their freshness; the longer they are left out, the quicker they wilt.
Flowers can only absorb water through their stems, so do not fill the vase to the brim.
Avoid overcrowding the vase with too many flowers, as this will limit the oxygen available for the petals to breathe.

Care Tips for Different Types of Flowers

Each type of flower has different water and nutrient needs. Understanding this will help you keep flowers fresh longer:

Roses: Do not cut the thorns off roses, as this can affect the flower’s longevity. Vitamin B1 is very effective in keeping rose petals fresh and preventing them from dropping.
Lilies: To keep lilies fresh longer, cut the ends of the stems at an angle and add some sugar to the water.
Peach Blossoms and Hawthorn Flowers: Before placing them in the vase, singe the cut ends over a flame to retain the sap, helping them last longer.
Chrysanthemums: Regularly change the water and trim any damaged ends. Adding a little nitrogen fertilizer or urea to the water will help keep your chrysanthemums fresh longer.
Orchids: Cover them with a damp cloth at night to help them stay fresh longer.
Carnations: Place the flowers just above the water surface; be careful not to let them float or sink, as carnations are lightweight.
Lilies: Before arranging, soak the entire lily stem in a large bucket of water for about 5 minutes, then place it in the vase. Be sure to remove any leaves below the water line and fill the vase with plenty of water to help the flowers absorb it effectively.
Vanda Orchids: Since this type of orchid prefers bright light but not direct sunlight, place them in a well-lit area while avoiding direct sun exposure. Do not let them become too damp.
Phalaenopsis Orchids: Display them in a shaded area, avoiding direct sunlight, and keep them in a warm room, as Phalaenopsis orchids thrive in warm, shaded conditions.