Flowers bring gorgeous colour and scent into your home, and there is nothing better than receiving a beautiful bunch of flowers whether you are a woman, man, adult or child. There is something inherently uplifting about their very presence.

There is nothing worse then, than having them degenerate rapidly and die off within a few days. Knowing how to choose and care for fresh cut flowers will enable you to enjoy their splendour for many days more.

Selecting Flowers

When choosing fresh cut flowers to display in your home you should look for the same indicators of health whether they are cut from your own garden, shop-bought, or gathered from the countryside. Just looking at them will offer plenty of clues as to their longevity. Look out for:

• Good plump, firm flowers
• Free from insects and disease
• Clean, unbroken stems
• Healthy leaves (means healthy plant)
• Buds showing colour

Watering

The vase or receptacle you use to hold your cut flowers should be in proportion to the amount of flowers you have. If the vase is too small for the flowers they will dry out before you realize.

Like human beings, flowers are largely comprised of water and as such require a fresh supply to keep them firm and fresh. The water is the means of dissolving and transporting nutrients into the plant, so the key to flower longevity is unrestricted water flow and plenty of nutrients.

The water should be completely changed every two days with a fresh cut in the stems. Fresh water means fresh flowers, so don't just top the water up. Cut flowers are sensitive to changes in water temperature: warm water encourages buds and flowers to open, while colder water slows development and thus lengthens their life. Extremes of either temperature however will cause rapid degeneration, so aim for lukewarm temperatures.

Cutting

Flower stems should be cut at an angle with a sharp knife, and this should always be done under water or a running tap. This helps to prevent bubble blocks. Bubble blocks occur because the stems allow water to pass, but not air. When the stem is cut, a bubble forms at the end to seal in the water and the air out. Cutting flowers under water keeps the stem open and healthy. For this reason, stems should not be cut with blunt scissors or broken off as this also restricts the water uptake. It also encourages bacteria to take over.

When cutting stems, remove the leaves that would otherwise be submerged underwater as these will rot and cause the flower to wilt. Do not remove thorns from roses as this shortens their life.

Certain rules apply to specific flowers when cutting. Roses, daffodils, irises and gladiolas should be cut when buds; but wait for opening before cutting dianthus, marigolds and delphiniums.

Nourishing

Flowers grow in the nourishment of soil, so when they are cut and placed in a vase of water you must find alternative ways of providing the necessary nutrients to prolong their life.

Floral preservatives often come with bought cut flowers, and can also be bought separately. These preservatives comprise sugar to keep the flower's energy high, chemicals that restrict bad bacteria growing and those which lower the pH factor which increases the water uptake. Flower preservatives are available in both liquid and powder form, but you should always follow the instructions specific to that packet to get the best result for your flowers.

If you are looking for a quick remedy and have no preservatives around, try adding a teaspoon of sugar to the water. Unfortunately, old wives tales of adding pennies, aspirin, and bleach to make flowers last longer are generally untrue. In some cases where these home remedies work, it is due to the specific needs of the flower and cannot be applied across the board.

Location

Before you get carried away deciding how your fresh cut flowers would best accentuate the room, you should think instead about the best place in the room that will encourage their survival.

Flowers need a healthy environment in which to flourish. The vase should be scrubbed clean before each use, and when filled with flowers needs to be positioned somewhere with clean air. Being placed near an open window is an excellent idea, but not if it is next to heavy traffic. Nor should they be kept in an area in which people regularly smoke. Pollutants damage the life of all natural things so keep your flowers protected and ventilated.

Whilst many of us associate flowers with sunshine, you should keep your arrangement out of direct sunlight to prevent premature drying out. Keep them in a light but cool spot.

Fruit and flowers can seem like a pleasant display, but fresh flowers should always be placed away from your fruit bowl. Ripening fruit and other organic materials give off ethylene gas which reduces the life of many varieties of flowers. Carnations, freesias, and lilies are particularly sensitive.

Lifespan

Most arrangements of fresh cut flowers last four to seven days, and sometimes longer. It depends upon the type of flower and the care they receive. Carnations are one of the most tenacious flowers. When cut just after they open, they should last around three weeks in a vase.

• One week: dahlia, delphinium, Gerber daisy, iris
• Ten days: gladiolus, liatris, lisianthus, statice
• Long life: babies' breath, carnations, Shasta daisy, strawflower

Always wet your hands before handling gardenias and stephanotis, as the oil from your hands can turn the flowers brown. You can use lemon juice on gardenias to prevent this happening.

If your roses are drooping at the head, apply a fresh cut to the stem and wrap the head in paper to hold it upright. Plunge 5cms of the stem into boiling water for 30 seconds, then cut the stem a second time and rest it in cold water for two hours.

Daffodils are often best kept separate to other flowers as they can make other flowers in the same vase wilt prematurely.