Keep Cut Peonies Fresh Longer
Enjoy these beautiful flowers longer with these tips and tricks for keeping them as fresh as possible once they're picked.
A bouquet of big, beautiful peonies always brightens us up. We love to place a vase of them where we can admire the flowers' ruffly textures and vibrant colors up close. When you purchase peonies from Ozark Grown Farms, they can last a surprisingly long time—provided they're given the proper care at-home. Here's how to keep flowers fresh so you can enjoy them for as long as possible. Plus, we've got some bonus advice for encouraging the buds to open faster.
Don’t be Afraid to Buy Peony Buds
Peonies will last longest when bought or harvested while they're still in bud form. Don't be afraid to gently touch the buds before buying—if they're soft (think the texture of a marshmallow), that means they're close to opening. Avoid ones that feel hard like a marble because they may not be developed enough to open once picked. Buds aren't always pretty, and slight deformities—like little brown spots—are normal.
DIY Flower Food
If you lost track of that little food packet that came with your flowers, don't fret. You can make your own by adding a spoonful of regular granulated sugar to the water to make your cut flowers last longer. This will mimic the sugar rush that occurs during photosynthesis, helping to keep the flowers fresh. Just be sure to replace the water every two days, because mixing in sugar can encourage bacteria to grow.
Keep Peonies Cold
Like many fresh flowers, putting peonies in the fridge at night is a guaranteed way to help them last longer. But you can take the trick a step further. Try cutting fresh peony buds while they're soft, wrapping them in newspaper, and storing them in the refrigerator until you're ready to use them. They won't open up in the fridge, but you can preserve them for an extra day or two if you need them to last for a party or get together.
Don’t be Afraid of Ants on Peonies
You may find an occasional ant that’s taken up a home on your blooms. Ants and peonies have an especially notorious relationship. The insects are attracted to nectar that the buds release as they open. Place the cut peony stems in water and leave them outside for 20-30 minutes before bringing them inside to give the ants plenty of time to migrate off the flowers.
Cut Stems at an Angle
For maximum water absorption, cut the stems on an angle. This trick increases the surface area of the cut, helping the blooms absorb more water and nutrients. Do this every other day to help remove any clogs at the base of the stems.