Keeping Lilacs Alive Longer

Introduction

What are Lilacs?

Choosing the Right Lilacs

Preparing the Cut Stems

Putting the Cut Stems in Water

Creating an Ideal Environment for the Stems

Recutting the Stems

Preparing the Vase and Water

Arranging the Lilacs

Adding Nutrients to Extend Life Span

Conclusion

Keeping Lilacs Alive Longer

Lilacs are one of spring’s most beloved flowers. Their sweet scent and beautiful colors can bring a garden alive and fill a house with joy. But how do you keep these lovely blooms alive longer? With some simple tips, you can increase their lifespan to 3-4 days, allowing you to enjoy their beauty for an even longer time.

What are Lilacs?

Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) are deciduous shrubs that bloom annually in spring or early summer. Depending on the variety, they can range from 2 to 10 feet in height and width. Their blooms come in shades of pink, purple, white, and lavender. The flowers have a lovely sweet fragrance that attracts birds, bees, and butterflies to your garden. They make excellent cut flowers for bouquets as well as dried flower arrangements.

## Choosing the Right Lilacs

When picking lilac stems for cutting, look for ones with buds that are beginning to open. These will last up to four days in a vase once cut. Also make sure to pick stems that look healthy and free of disease or insect damage. Picking at least two different varieties is best; this will give your arrangement added depth and interest with its varying colors.

## Preparing the Cut Stems

Once you’ve chosen your lilac stems, it’s important to prepare them correctly before putting them into water. Start by cutting all of them at an angle using sharp pruners or scissors; this allows them to take up water more easily from the vase or bucket they’ll be stored in later on. Make sure each stem is about 10-12 inches long; any shorter than that might mean it won’t be able to hold enough water for a long period of time.

## Putting the Cut Stems in Water

After cutting your lilac stems at an angle, place them immediately into a bucket of lukewarm water. Allow them to take up more water in a cool, dark place for another one to two hours before arranging them in a vase or bouquet holder; this will help ensure they last three to four days once arranged properly in a vase or bouquet holder.

## Creating an Ideal Environment for the Stems

In order for your lilac stems to last as long as possible, it’s important they have an ideal environment while they’re taking up water from their bucket or vase before arranging them into a bouquet holder or vase. Make sure they’re stored away from any direct sunlight or heat sources; this can cause their blooms to wilt faster than if kept at room temperature away from direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators or fireplaces. It’s also important that there is plenty of air circulating around the stems; this will prevent bacteria from forming on them which could shorten their lifespan drastically if not taken care of properly beforehand. You can achieve this by using a fan near where you store them if necessary during warm weather months!

## Recutting the Stems

Before arranging your lilac stems into a bouquet holder or vase, it’s important to recut each stem end 1-2 inches vertically upwards – not downwards – so that more surface area is exposed on each stem end which allows it take up even more water when placed back into its vessel afterwards; this helps keep it hydrated longer when arranged properly! It also helps remove any air bubbles that may have formed due to cutting earlier which can reduce how much water each stem takes up over time which could lead to wilting prematurely otherwise!

## Preparing the Vase and Water

Once all of your stems have been recut and prepared properly it’s time to prepare your vase and water before arranging your lilacs inside of it! Start by filling your chosen vessel with lukewarm tap water (not cold as this could shock delicate blooms) then add one teaspoon of sugar per quart; sugar helps feed cut flowers while they’re taking up water which helps extend their flowering life span significantly when done correctly! You can also add flower food if desired but sugar works just fine too!

## Arranging the Lilacs

Now that everything is ready it’s time to arrange those beautiful blooms into something special! Begin by first selecting one main stem – this should be larger than all others – then start building around it using other smaller yet still nice looking blooms as filler surrounding main stem until desired look has been achieved! Place shorter stemmed blooms towards front so higher ones don’t cover lower ones when viewed from side angle then gently move closer together until desired look is achieved! Always keep taller stemmed blooms towards back with shorter ones closer towards front for best visual effect overall!

## Adding Nutrients To Extend Life Span

Once arranged properly inside its vessel there are additional nutrients you can add periodically throughout week(s) such as commercially made flower food packets/liquid drops found at most home improvement stores (which usually contain essential nutrients like potassium & magnesium) which help provide additional nutrition needed by cut flowers while taking up water over extended period of time thus extending life span even further beyond normal expectations!

## Conclusion
With some simple tips, you can enjoy luscious lilacs indoors longer than usual – up three four days rather than just one day after cutting fresh from garden! Choose right blossoms & prepare cut stems correctly before storing away in cool dark place until ready for arranging then recut ends 1-2 inches vertically upwards & store inside appropriately sized vessel filled with lukewarm tapwater & teaspoon sugar per quart prior adding commercially made flower food (if desired) every few days thereafter throughout week(s)! With these tips & tricks you’ll be sure extend life span beyond normal expectations so go ahead get creative & enjoy beauty these lovely blooms bring indoors with ease!