Step 1 — Unwrap immediately Don't leave them in the paper even if they look fine. The sooner they're in water the better.

Step 2 — Recut the stems Cut 2–3cm off each stem at a 45° angle under running water. Your flowers have already been conditioned before pickup — this fresh cut at home clears the stem end so they can drink again cleanly. A sharp knife is better than scissors, which can crush the stem.

Step 3 — Clean water first, no additives Place into clean water at room temperature for the first two hours. This initial drink is just about rehydration after transit — flower food comes next. Don't use the same water they arrived in.

Step 4 — Find a cool, dark spot Leave them undisturbed for at least two hours before arranging. Not the fridge. A cool laundry or shaded bench is ideal. This is the most skipped step and the most valuable one.

Step 5 — Arrange and add flower food Move to your vase, add flower food to the water and display away from direct sun, heat sources and fruit. Ethylene gas from ripening fruit accelerates petal drop significantly — more than most people realise.

Then, days 2–7: Change the water every two days, clean the vase each time, and recut the stems with each water change. That single habit adds more vase life than anything else you can do after day one. Remove any stems that have gone over — they release ethylene that shortens everything around them.