Keep your Valentine's Day flower bouquet fresh

I love fresh cut flowers, but sometimes it is really difficult to get them to stay fresh for a long time. Flowers shops don't always put a packet of flower preservative in the package, so more often than not, you may end up with dead flowers in just a couple days.

It isn't so difficult to maintain fresh cut flowers. When you first receive them, check to see if there is a packet of flower preservative. Fill a vase with lukewarm water and sprinkle in some preservative. Cut the stems at a 45 degree angle with a knife or kitchen shears, and remove any leaves that may come in contact with the water. If you don't remove these leaves, they may end up rotting in the water. Change the water on a daily basis, each time cutting the stems a tiny bit more to ensure they receive the fresh water. You'll be amazed at how long your flowers last.

You can make your own preservative with this simple recipe from Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Check out the wonderful tips for keeping your flowers smelling fresh and looking lovely long after you would normally have thrown them in the compost bin.