A bouquet of fresh cut flowers is always a welcome addition to any home or office. Fresh flowers can brighten someone's day, deliver a meaningful message, decorate a special occasion, distract us from sorrow, and remind us of the gifts of nature. Part of the intrinsic value of fresh cut flowers is the fact that their beauty is so fleeting... making them all the more precious. Nonetheless, we usually want those fresh flowers to last as long as possible. Fortunately, we can add several days to the vase life of fresh cut flowers by following the practices used by professional florists to prolong the vitality of their products. A small investment of time will pay off in the extended enjoyment of your beautiful blossoms. Preparing Your New Flowers First, choose fresh flowers that are not yet fully developed. Most cut flowers, with the exception of some tropical flowers and fresh orchids, will continue to open after they've been put into the vase. Look for blossoms [...]