Keep sunflowers fresh indoors with three-second trick

Sunflowers, indigenous to the Americas, are a lively addition to any home and can bring a spark of happiness to even the gloomiest corners. They also carry a unique significance as emblems of resilience and peace for Ukrainians.

Currently, you can easily locate fresh sunflower bouquets in most supermarkets. However, these radiant blossoms need particular care once cut to stop them from wilting and losing their shine.

Luckily, specialists at The Secret Farm have divulged their top advice on how to maintain these bubbly flowers fresh for an extended period after they've been cut or bought as a bouquet.

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Typically, cut sunflowers can endure anywhere from six to 12 days. By adhering to these expert tips, you can ensure your flowers remain fresh and vibrant for the longest time possible.

How to keep sunflowers fresh?

The experts have disclosed a quick and straightforward three-second task that needs to be performed every couple of days which can help extend the freshness of cut sunflowers and prevent early wilting.

They suggest re-cutting the stems of your sunflowers and placing them in a fresh holding solution every two days. It's also recommended to cut the stems underwater to prevent air bubbles from entering the stem's vascular system.

It's crucial to keep the stems submerged while you empty your vase, clean it, and refill it with fresh holding solution.

Afterwards, the flowers can be returned to the vase and topped up with fresh holding solution as and when required.

Another top tip to keep your sunflowers looking gorgeous is to steer clear of placing them in direct sunlight or near draughts, as both can dehydrate the blooms and make them wilt rapidly.

If you don't have holding solution to hand, don't panic - your flowers can still flourish in fresh water alone.

A clever expert trick for green-fingered folk is to create your own holding solution using three simple steps. You'll need a floral preservative containing sucrose for nourishment, an acidifying agent to balance pH levels and enhance hydration, plus an antimicrobial component to ward off bacterial growth that might block the stems.

Just follow the manufacturer's instructions when preparing the mixture. Worth noting: using too little won't significantly prolong vase life, whilst using excessive amounts could damage your blooms.

Eflorist's flower specialist, David Denyer, has also shared his wisdom for maintaining cut sunflowers' vibrancy for longer periods. David explains: "Sunflowers are thirsty flowers, so make sure the vase is filled with fresh water. Keep the water level high enough to cover the stems, but avoid submerging the flower heads themselves. Change the water every day or every other day to prevent bacterial growth, which can shorten the life of your flowers."

For those seeking the ideal location for your sunny blooms, placement is crucial for maximum longevity.

Whilst it may seem appealing to place your sunflower on the windowsill to soak up direct sunlight, this can cause the flowers to overheat quickly.

According to David, sunflowers flourish best in a cool corner of your home.

He suggests: "To maximise the lifespan of your cut sunflowers, keep them in a cool spot, away from direct heat sources such as radiators or sunny windowsills. Extreme heat can make them wilt faster; instead, choose a cool, well-ventilated area to keep them happy for longer."

Alex Biggart from 123 Flowers has also shared vital guidance for maintaining sunflowers' vibrancy in vases throughout the summer.

Stressing the significance of proper care for sunflowers to prolong their beauty and lifespan, Alex reveals: "Sunflowers are one of the most iconic family favourites and many of us choose them to add colour to our homes and gardens."

He continued: "And with a few simple tips, you can really make the most out of this beautiful species as a cut flower and keep them in top shape. The number one tip is to keep the water in the vase extremely fresh and change it every day as murky water makes sunflowers rot."

Alex further advises, "When you take your sunflowers home, the first thing to do is cut the stems at an angle with sharp pruners to ensure they take in plenty of fresh water and avoid sitting on stagnant water. Put them in a clean vase with tepid water as cold water can take longer to absorb, and use a floral preservative regularly to give them a boost."