You have just received the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers. The colors are vibrant, the petals are perfect and the room smells wonderful. Three days later, they are drooping and browning. They look really sad.

Sounds familiar? It's good news. You can make your flowers look beautiful and fresh for a much longer time by using a few simple tricks. It's all easy. Promise!

Why Do Flowers Die So Fast?

First, let's try to understand the problem. The roots of the flower are no longer able to get food and water. They have to drink through their stems.

Two things can kill flowers very quickly:

• Bacteria - tiny, invisible germs which grow in water and prevent flowers from drinking.
• Thirst - When flowers don't have enough water they begin to droop and die.

This guide is devoted to fighting one of these two problems. That's it!

The most important trick -- Trim the stems

The number one thing that you can do is this. Cut a small piece off each stem before putting them in the vase. It should be about the size of your thumb.

Here's the trick -- don't cut straight across, but at an angle. Imagine cutting the straw at an angle. This angled cut allows more stem to soak up the water. The vase will not be able to drink much water if the stem is cut flat.

Use sharp scissors. Use sharp scissors.

Repeat this every day, not just the first time. Fresh stems are more likely to drink well.

How much water should you use?

Fill the vase approximately halfway. Fill the vase about halfway.

If you water too much, the stems at the bottom of your plants will become soggy and rot. Flowers will become thirsty if there is not enough water. Like Goldilocks, half is the perfect amount.

Use water at room temperature. Cold water can b e a bit shocking for flowers, and it will slow down their ability to drink. Normal temperature water works best.

It's Important to Change the Water

Most people make the same mistake. Most people put flowers in the water to make flower last longer and then forget about it. The water becomes cloudy, smelly, and bacteria grow everywhere. And the flowers die too early.

Replace the water every 2 days. This takes less than 1 minute, but makes a big difference.

Give the vase an inside rinse when you change the water. Vases are covered in invisible slime, which is bacteria. Clean vases mean cleaner water for your flower arrangements.

Little Flower Food Packet

A tiny packet of flower food is included in almost every bouquet. The majority of people toss it without giving it a second thought.

Don't! Don't!

This tiny package contains three items:

• Sugar - gives flowers energy like a snack.
• Acid - helps water move up the stem more quickly.
• Bacteria Fighter -- Slows down the bacteria in the water.

It keeps flowers fresh for several days. Here's how to make your own if you've forgotten where you put it.

• Water 1 litre
• Sugar, 1 teaspoon
• White vinegar, 1 tablespoon
• Ask a parent to help you with this step.

Use it to fill your vase. It really works!

Keep flowers away from these things

How you water your flowers and where you place them are equally important.

Direct sunlight -- Bright rooms are fine, but direct sun will dry out flowers and fade their colours. Avoid placing them near windows that are bright in the afternoon.

Heaters - Heat is the enemy to flowers. The petals shrink very quickly in warm, dry air. Keep your bouquet away from heaters.

Open windows and fans -- Moving wind dries out flowers just as heat does. Avoid placing them in areas where the wind or a blowing fan will affect them.

The Fruit Bowl -- This is a surprise for everyone! As bananas and apple ripen, they release an invisible gas known as ethylene. This gas accelerates the aging of flowers, like a fast-forwarding on their lives. Keep your flowers on the opposite side of the room to your fruit.

Remove dead leaves and petals

Rot will occur if leaves are left below the waterline. Rotting leaves can quickly make water dirty and contaminated with bacteria.

Pull out any leaves that may have fallen into the water when you first place your vase. It only takes a minute to pinch off the leaves.

Remove any fallen petals and stems which have completely died. Dead stems in water can release bacteria that harms healthy flowers.

It's like cleaning up your bedroom -- when you get rid of the clutter, everything feels better!

The Fridge Trick

Here's an awesome secret that florists use.

Place your flowers in the refrigerator overnight!

Cold temperatures help flowers to last longer. While you can't store your flowers in the refrigerator all day, putting them in overnight -- while you are asleep and won't be enjoying them -- can extend their life by several days.

Check that there is no fruit in your fridge. Fruit gas is bad for your flowers!

Flower Care Different for Different Flowers

Not all flowers look the same. Some tips on popular flowers

Roses -- Remove the outer petals if they are damaged. The inner petals underneath will be beautifully opened. Every two days, re-cut the stems.

Tulips Did you know that tulips continue to grow even after being cut? It's pretty cool, right? Wrap them in newspaper tightly for a couple of hours if they begin to droop. You'll see them stand up straight again!

Lilies -- Do you see those orange dusty bits? As soon as you see them, remove them. Lily pollen will stain everything it touches - clothes, tablecloths - everything! Removing it helps the flower to live longer.

Sunflowers - These flowers prefer slightly warmer water than any other flower. They drink a lot of water, so you should check their water daily.

Hydrangeas - These are the most thirsty flowers. Keep their water topped off every day. When they are thirsty, they wilt quickly but rebound quickly after a drink.

How long can flowers last?

Here's what to expect with proper care:

Carnations are at the bottom. With good care, they can last up to THREE WEEKS. This is amazing for a cut-flower! Carnations will last for a long time.

Signs that your flowers need help right now

Some flowers begin to struggle before they completely give up. You can save flowers if you spot them early.

They are thirsty if they're drooping or floppy Cut the stems again and immediately put them in fresh, clean water. In just a few short hours, many flowers will bloom again. It's like magic!

Change the water immediately if it is cloudy and smelly. It gets worse every hour the water is cloudy.

Slimy stems - The stem is beginning to rot. Use clean scissors to cut above the slimy part and quickly move into fresh water. You can save most flowers if you act quickly.

Simple Flower Checklist

You want to make it easy for yourself? You can do it by following these simple steps:

Everyday:

• If the water level is low, top it up.
• Remove fallen petals and dead leaves
• Be sure that they are not near a heater or in the sun.

Every two days:

• The water will be completely changed
• Cut the stems again at an angle
• The vase should be rinsed quickly

That's it. Your flowers will last much longer if you do this every two days.

Final Thoughts

Flowers are beautiful and can be placed in any room. Flowers brighten a room and make it smell great. They also make the whole house feel happier.

It's always been sad to see how fast they disappear. Now you know that they don't need to!

The right place in the room and clean water are all that's needed. It's really that simple.

If you take care of your flower, they will continue to make you smile far longer than you expected.