How to Get Flowers to Open Faster

Overview

In order to give you the longest-lasting flowers possible, often we send flower gifts while the blooms are still closed. Because the flowers are still young, recipients enjoy the fragrance and floral beauty longer. However, if your flowers are slow to pop open and you want to see the blooms sooner, you can coax them to open with a few simple methods.

Step 1

Remove the cut flowers from their current vase or packaging. Set aside any ribbons or paper attached the flowers. Place the stems under cool running water.

Step 2

Cut the stems at an angle. This opens the stem so the flowers can take a wider drink and encourages the flower to mature.

Step 3

Strip away any leaves on the stem below the water level of your vase. Place the flowers in a vase of clean, fresh water.

Step 4

Place a diffuser on the end of a blow dryer. Turn the heat on low, and wave the diffuser end over the flower heads. The heating action will trick the flowers into believing they are responding to sunlight. Do this for one minute. Do not overheat the flowers since this may cause them to wilt.

Step 5

Place the flowers in a bright sunny location. Turn the flowers every few hours so the blooms open evenly.

Ingredients

• Water

• Sharp knife

• Vase

• Blow dryer

• Diffuser

• Window

• Aspirin or floral preservative

Tips

Add flower preservative to the water to make blooms last longer. Follow the directions on the package. Alternately, you can crush up one aspirin to place in the water. Slow down the flower opening by keeping the flowers in a cool location.

Warnings

Do not handle the flower buds or blooms too much. The oils and acids from your hands may cause the flowers to brown.