When plant specialist André Alonso explained in a TikTok video how to care for fresh floral arrangements in Spain, it was noted that cutting every stem diagonally and leaving all the flowers at the same height is a key step.
In Plain English André Alonso detailed how thousands of roses change hands across Spain throughout the year, with most ending up directly in a vase without any prior preparation.
According to the plant specialist, skipping these preparation steps causes many flower bouquets to wither in just two or three days instead of lasting much longer.
The method begins by removing all the plastic or wrapping paper, which protects stems during transport but retains moisture and promotes fungi if left in place at home. Florists consulted agree that removing the wrapping immediately is one of the most ignored and decisive gestures.
After stripping away the packaging, the next step involves removing the leaves from the lower part of the stem, especially those that would fall below the water level. A single submerged leaf can cloud the water in less than a day, releasing bacteria that clog the stem and accelerate withering.
Alonso then instructs to cut the stem diagonally and leave all the flowers at the same height. The diagonal cut increases the contact surface between the stem and the water while preventing the base from sealing flat against the bottom of the jarrón.
Equalizing the heights ensures that shorter flowers are not crushed against the base and longer ones do not bend sideways, allowing every flower to drink under equal conditions.
Once prepared, the flowers should be placed in a vase with clean water, where users can add a little sugar or an aspirin. Sugar provides nourishment that the flowers stopped receiving when cut, while aspirin contains salicylic acid, which helps maintain water absorption. Alonso concludes his instructions with a warning against exposing the arrangement to direct sunlight, recommending instead a well-ventilated and luminous location.
