With proper care, fresh floral arrangements can last for a week or so depending on the quality of the plants. When purchasing flowers, choose blooms with firm upright petals. Once you are home, the first and perhaps the most important step after receiving a bouquet, is to fill the vaase with clean, cold water. If the flowers are arranged in floral foam and not loose in a vase, re-soak the foam. Most florists include a packet of flower food, which is usually sugar and a preservative. Mix this packet according to the specifications on the package. If the packet does not have instructions, mix it with 1 pint of water. Do not dilute the packet contents more than recommended. If the contents are too dilute to control bacterial growth, the sugar will cause them to thrive resulting in cloudy water and poor vase life and bent rose heads. Cut 2-3 inches off the base of the stems with a clean knife before placing in the water.  Continue to monitor the level and quality of the water in the vase. Remove cloudy water and replace with clean cool water. Add extra nutrients if available.

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