How to Cut Flowers for Preservation

Overview

Have you recently received flowers you want to preserve? Do you have fresh flowers from your yard to preserve? Many people preserve flowers because they were given to them for a special occasion. Others like to preserve flowers to later use for decorations or crafts. It's important to cut your flowers correctly to assure they retain their beauty for later preservation.

Step 1

Wait until mid-morning to cut flowers from your yard. This will assure the blooms have opened completely. There should be no wet dew remaining on the blooms, leaves or stems of the flowers you wish to preserve.

Step 2

Immediately place fresh flowers in a vase of warm tap-water, either cut from your yard or ones given to you.

Step 3

Remove one stem from the vase. Place sharp knife at a 45 degree angle half an inch from the bottom of the stem. Press quickly and firmly to make clean cut on the flower stem. Replace the flower immediately back into the vase. Repeat with each flower.

Step 4

Enjoy the fresh cut flowers for a few days. Prior to any blooms wilting or drying out, remove the first stem from the vase. Place a sharp knife at a 45 degree angle, just at the base of the blossom to cut blooms or several inches below the blossom to for flower preservation with the stem. Press quickly and firmly to make a clean cut to remove the flower blossom and stem. Repeat with each stem until all your blooms and stems are ready for your flower preservation project.