How to Keep Lotus Flowers Fresh at Home

Keeping beautiful lotus flowers fresh in your home involves providing them with the right conditions and care, primarily focusing on optimal hydration.

## Essential Steps for Fresh Lotus Flowers

To maximize the lifespan of your cut lotus flowers, follow these key steps:

1.  **Prepare the Vase:** Start with a clean vase. Any bacteria can shorten the life of your flowers. Fill it with fresh water.
2.  **Initial Stem Trim:** Upon receiving your lotus flowers, trim about an inch off the bottom of the stems. Use a sharp knife or scissors and cut the stems underwater if possible, or immediately place them in water after cutting.
3.  **Regular Stem Maintenance:** This is a crucial step for thick-stemmed flowers like lotuses. As per the reference, **cutting the stems at a 45-degree angle every few days helps improve water absorption, ensuring that flowers like lotus and water lilies remain hydrated and fresh.** This **proper trimming allows for thick-stemmed flowers to maximise their longevity.** The angled cut increases the surface area for water uptake.
4.  **Remove Submerged Leaves:** Any leaves below the waterline should be removed. These leaves can rot and contaminate the water with bacteria, which harms the flowers.
5.  **Change Water Regularly:** Change the water in the vase every one to two days. Fresh water prevents bacterial buildup and provides a clean source of hydration.
6.  **Choose the Right Location:** Keep your lotus flowers away from direct sunlight, drafts, and heat sources like radiators or electronics. Cooler temperatures help slow down the wilting process.
7.  **Consider Flower Food:** While the reference emphasizes stem cutting, using a commercial flower food packet in the water can provide nutrients and inhibit bacterial growth, further extending freshness.

## Why Proper Stem Cutting Matters

The technique of cutting the stems at a **45-degree angle** is particularly effective for flowers with thick stems, like lotuses.

*   **Increased Surface Area:** The angled cut provides a larger surface area compared to a straight cut, allowing the stem to absorb more water.
*   **Prevents Sealing:** Cutting underwater or immediately placing in water after cutting prevents air bubbles from entering the stem's vascular system, which could block water uptake.
*   **Regular Renewal:** Re-cutting the stems **every few days** ensures that any clogged tissue at the bottom of the stem is removed, maintaining efficient water absorption.

By diligently following these steps, especially the recommended regular trimming of the stems at an angle, you can significantly prolong the beauty and freshness of your lotus flowers at home.