How do you keep cut flowers fresh when you are cutting your own?
Moisture is the most important consideration in keeping cut flowers
fresh. Once a stem is cut off, it’s no longer getting the nutrients and
water flow it needs through the roots. But, the plant’s need for water
and nutrients hasn’t ended.
A cut flower will continue to bloom as long as it is “turgid.” Which
means it is fully engorged with water. This will allow it to unfurl its
petals into their full beauty. However, a flower will continue to lose
water through transpiration. So to keep it from wilting, it needs to be
taking in as much water as it is losing.