When and How to Harvest Cut Flowers
Once you have garden beds filled with beautiful blooms, it’s time to put them to use. While some growers prefer to snip off stems whenever the mood strikes, you’ll get better results if you have a harvesting plan in place.
It makes a big difference in a flower’s lifespan when you harvest it. Cut the stem too close to peak blooming time or during the heat of the day, and you’ll find the beauty fades fast. After all, a flower starts to decay as soon as you separate it from its roots.
Your goal is to preserve the blooms for as long as possible after this point. Here’s how to navigate the cut-flower harvesting process for the best results.
What You Need for Harvesting
Before you can begin harvesting, you’ll need to have some supplies prepped. Gather a harvesting bucket for placing the stems after snipping, along with shears or other preferred cutting tools. The sharper the better — dull blades will damage the bottoms of stems and prevent them from taking in water.
Make sure everything is clean and sanitized before starting. Cutting flower stems creates wounds on plants, and the last thing you want to do is to introduce disease pathogens into them.
When possible, harvest only from your healthiest, most vigorous plants. Flowers from weak plants will wilt much faster and shorten the lifespan of your arrangement.
When Are Flowers Ready for Harvest?
The best time to harvest your blooms will depend on the variety. Some flowers, like snapdragons, can be harvested in the bud stage, and they will continue to grow and bloom when placed in water. Others, like dahlias, stop blooming after harvesting.
In other words, you’ll need to do your research before coming outside with clippers. Determine when to harvest each variety based on the results you want to prolong their lifespan in your vase.
What Time of Day Should I Harvest Cut Flowers?
You’ll get the best results with cut flowers if you harvest them when they are most hydrated. This typically means the early morning or evening, but you can also harvest on overcast days. Avoid picking flowers midday (especially on sunny days), so you aren’t fighting against wilting.
When cutting, aim for the longest stem you can without cutting off any side buds or shoots. Otherwise, you’re compromising your future harvests. You can always trim the stems down to size later.
