Lilies look extravagant, exotic and last a long time in the vase. This makes them the perfect cut flowers! But if you want to enjoy them for a long time, you should take a few things into consideration when cutting them in the garden or buying them from the florist.
What is the best way to care for lilies as cut flowers?
To keep lilies as cut flowers fresh for a long time, you should pay attention to the flower buds when buying, cut the stems diagonally, provide fresh water with a little lemon juice or vinegar in the vase every day and protect the flowers from direct sunlight.
Something to consider when buying from a florist
Oriental lilies and Asiatic lilies are most commonly offered as cut flowers. Most florists' oriental lilies are pure white or white-pink-purple. These varieties tend to have a strong scent. If you prefer odorless lilies, you should stick to Asian lilies. Their colors can range from yellow, white and orange.
Here are points you should consider:
- Ask which varieties are fragrant and which are not
- Lilies whose flower buds are all wide open don't last long anymore
- After purchase: Slowly get lilies used to the temperature conditions at home (film (€8.00 on Amazon) only be removed after 30 minutes)
- cut the stems at an angle with a knife
Cutting lilies for the vase
If you cut lilies from the garden for your vase at home, you should keep the following aspects in mind:
- Buds should be close to opening
- cut off early in the morning (flowers are saturated with water)
- strip off the lower third of the leaves (risk of rot in the vase)
- after cutting, quickly place in the vase
Caring for lilies in the vase
Lilies in the vase should be in a bright place. But they should not be exposed to direct sunlight. The cut flowers should also receive new water every day. The old vase water is thrown away. To keep the lilies fresh, it is advisable to add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to the water. With good care, the flowers last up to 14 days.
For what occasions are lilies suitable?
A bouquet of lilies is always a joy. But for which occasions are lilies suitable as cut flowers:
- Wedding: white lilies e.g. B. Royal Lily
- Funeral ceremony: white lilies
- Birthday: Turkish lilies (recurved petals)
- Anniversary: oriental lilies
Tips & Tricks
Once the flowers have opened, the pollen vessels can be removed. Otherwise the pollen tends to fall onto the floor, the tablecloth or elsewhere. They pose a danger to cats as the lily is poisonous.
