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Jane Westoby

Flower Farmers Guide to Harvesting Cut Flowers


Harvesting cut flowers correctly is crucial to ensure the longest vase life for flowers and repeat blooms. If you can grow cut and come again flowers they will re bloom much quicker than planting fresh stock and waiting for it to mature. To learn more read our blog all about Cut & Come again flowers.

 


cutting flowers from Garden

When to Cut

Timing is key when it comes to harvesting cut flowers. Flowers should be cut at their peak to ensure optimal freshness and longevity. The best time to harvest is usually in the morning when temperatures are cooler and the flowers are fully hydrated, or alternatively in the late evening after a good drink.  For most varieties, flowers should be cut just as the first blooms begin to open. This stage ensures that the flowers are mature enough to have developed their full colour and fragrance but are not too open that they have already been pollinated. Once flowers have opened they will be pollinated by bees  and other beneficial insects and once pollinated the bloom will begin to fade as it has done its job.

 


Harvesting Cut flowers

Preparation

Bacteria can proliferate rapidly in water, particularly when organic matter, such as leaves or flower petals, are present. These bacteria can clog the stems' vascular systems, impairing their ability to take up water and nutrients. As a result, the flowers may wilt prematurely and exhibit a reduced vase life. Research indicates that bacterial contamination in flower storage water can reduce the lifespan of cut flowers by up to 50%

 

  1. Wash Buckets: Begin by washing buckets with hot, soapy water. Hot water helps dissolve any residues and soap effectively removes dirt and organic material. Ensure you scrub the sides and bottom of the bucket thoroughly.

  2. Sanitize: After washing, sanitize the buckets to kill any remaining bacteria or fungi. You can use a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) or a commercial disinfectant solution, rinse thoroughly to remove any residues.

  3. Clean Water: Fill buckets with a few inches of room temp clean tapwater, If required you can use a floral preservative which can help extend the flowers' vase life by providing essential nutrients and reducing bacterial growth. Never use rainwater  as it often contains algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms that can promote rot or disease in the cut stems, reducing the flowers' vase life.

 



How to Cut

Using the right cutting technique is essential to maintain flower health and prolong vase life. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Tools: Use clean, sharp shears or pruning scissors. Dirty or dull tools can cause damage and increase the risk of disease. For flowers with woody stems, such as roses, it may be beneficial to use a sharp knife to make a clean cut. For delicate stems, handle them gently to avoid bruising.

  2. Technique: Cut just above a leaf node to help promote healthy new growth from the remaining stem. The leaf node, or bud, contains dormant growth points that can sprout new shoots. By making the cut just above the node, you leave these potential new growth points intact.

  3. Length: Cut stems deep into the plant. Deeper cutting promotes longer stem length for new growth.  Deadheading the flowers will promote lots of new blooms but the stem lengths will be very short and not necessarily useful for cut flowers, although they will look pretty in the garden.  

 


Flowers on table

How to Condition Flowers

By conditioning flowers, you allow them to recover from the stress of harvesting, promote better water uptake, and enhance their overall appearance and vase life. This helps ensure that flowers remain vibrant and healthy.

 

  1. Remove Leaves: Strip any leaves from the stem which will be submerged in water. Leaves left in the water can decompose and cause bacterial growth, shortening the lifespan of the flowers.

  2. Re-cut Stems: Some flowers such as roses will benefit from Immediately re-cutting the stems under water to prevent air bubbles from forming, which can block water absorption.

  3. Hydrate: Place the flowers in a clean bucket filled with room temperature water. Allow them to hydrate for a few hours in a cool dark place to condition them, I like to cut my flowers in the evening and leave them to condition overnight.   


To learn more why not try our guide to storing dried flowers

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