Cut Flower Care | Roses, Lilies & More – MO BLUMEN
Caring for Special Cut Flowers
Roses, lilies, tulips, gerberas and more – every flower has its own needs
The Basic rules apply to all flowers. But some popular cut flowers have special quirks. Here’s the insider knowledge – straight from our atelier.
Roses – The Classic
Roses are the world’s most popular cut flowers – and they reward good care with 7–14 days of beauty.
- Cut: Diagonal cut with a sharp knife. Remove all thorns and lower leaves.
- Water: Lukewarm, with flower food. Change every 2 days.
- Revival trick: Drooping rose? Cut 5 cm off the stem, dip it in hot water (60 °C) for 30 seconds, then place it in fresh lukewarm water. Works in 80% of cases.
- Ecuadorian roses: Larger heads, thicker stems, longer vase life (up to 14 days). Worth the premium.
- Avoid: Direct sunlight and drafts. Roses hate heat.
Tulips – The Spring Star
Tulips are unique – they keep growing in the vase and bend toward the light.
- Water: Cold water, only 5–8 cm deep. Tulips drink a lot – top up daily.
- Cut: Straight cut (not diagonal) – tulip stems are soft.
- Copper trick: A copper coin in the vase can help keep the stems upright (copper gives the stems a little more stability).
- Temperature: Keep cool – tulips open quickly in warm rooms. A night on the balcony noticeably extends their life.
- Interesting fact: In the vase, tulips grow 1–2 cm per day. Plan your arrangement height accordingly.
Gerberas – The Cheerful Ones
- Water level: Only 3–5 cm of water. Gerbera stems are soft and rot easily in deep water.
- Support: Gerbera stems bend easily. Use a narrow vase or floral wire for support.
- Without flower food: Unlike most flowers, gerberas thrive better without flower food – just clean water.
- Vase life: 7–12 days with proper care.
Lilies – The Fragrant Divas
- Pollen: Remove the stamens (orange pollen) as soon as the flower opens – they permanently stain clothing and furniture.
- Water: Plenty of lukewarm water with flower food. Lilies are thirsty.
- Buds: Buy lilies in bud – they will open over several days, extending their display life.
- Fragrance: Oriental lilies have a strong fragrance. Not ideal for small rooms or hospitals.
- Vase life: 7–14 days. Remove faded blooms – the remaining buds will continue to open.
Hydrangeas – The Water Lovers
Hydrangeas are 90% water – and they show it when they do not get enough.
- Water: Deep water, fill the vase completely. Change daily if possible.
- Cut: Cut diagonally through the woody stem. Some florists briefly sear the cut end with a flame – this helps with water absorption.
- Misting: Hydrangea blooms absorb water through their petals. Mist them daily with a spray bottle.
- Revival: Hydrangea wilting? Submerge the entire flower head in cold water for 30 minutes. It works remarkably well.
- Vase life: 7–10 days. They also dry beautifully – simply let them dry naturally in the vase.
Peonies – The Short-Lived Queens
- Buy in bud: The dense, marshmallow-soft buds open into huge blooms within 2–3 days.
- Speed up opening: Warm room, lukewarm water, gently remove the outer petals.
- Slow down: Keep in a cool room or in the refrigerator. Peonies are only available for a few weeks (May/June).
- Ants: Peonies often come with ants from the garden – gently shake them off outdoors before bringing them inside.
- Vase life: 5–7 days after opening. Every moment counts – enjoy them to the fullest.
Sunflowers – The Bold Ones
- Water: Plenty of water – sunflowers are heavy drinkers. Top up daily.
- Cut: Cut at an angle with sharp scissors. The thick stems can be tricky.
- Remove leaves: Remove all lower leaves – they decompose quickly in water.
- Vase: A heavy vase is essential – sunflowers are top-heavy and tip over easily.
- Vase life: 7–12 days. Complete guide to sunflower vases .
Tip for mixed flower bouquets: In a mixed bouquet, the flower with the shortest vase life sets the pace. Remove faded blooms one by one and rearrange the bouquet – the remaining flowers can last several days longer.
Premium cut flowers at MO BLUMEN Vienna
Roses, tulips, peonies and more – fresh from the market, hand-tied, and delivered with care tips.
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Frequently asked questions
Most flowers combine well in one vase. One exception is daffodils (narcissus), which release a sap that is toxic to other flowers. Keep them in a separate vase for the first 24 hours or use a special “daffodil solution.” Also, flowers with very different water needs (gerberas need little water, hydrangeas need a lot) may not be ideal together.
Tulips are softer than roses or lilies and naturally bend. In a mixed bouquet, they need the support of sturdier flowers. Tulips also continue to grow in the vase and can outgrow the arrangement. Some drooping is completely natural – embrace their movement or use a vase that supports the stems.
Chrysanthemums and carnations are the champions of longevity – lasting up to 3 weeks. Alstroemeria (Peruvian lilies) also keep for 2+ weeks. With premium flowers, Ecuadorian roses can last up to 14 days. The Basic care guidelines For all flowers: clean vase, fresh water, cool spot.