I always enjoyed best a Beautiful Desert Garden Vs. Flowers in a Vase, since I been a Landscape and plant grower enthusiast from a very early age and have lived most my life in the Sonora Desert territory.

Nevertheless, I never imagined that I would end up practicing Urban Gardening and with 20+ pots in my small condo! My husband kept asking me, where are we going to put all of these? Do we really need plants in the bathroom too?! My answer: Of course, they make me happy and I love to care for them!

I have realized, I could overcome my commitment issues to decorative pieces, or even Art by getting potted plants and most recently; Flowers. I enjoy them every day and I am amazed of how long flowers can last in a vase although they seem fragile. You just need to follow a few tricks to keep enjoying their beautiful colors and fragance. Therefore, I wanted to share 4 quick tips that can make a big difference while caring for your flower arrangements.

1. Cut the Stems: Trimming all stems one to two inches off at a 45º angle, allows a better water intake vs. sitting flat on the bottom of the vase. Another interesting fact; the longer the stem, the longer the water needs to travel, the shorter the stem, the less the water needs to travel keeping them looking fresh longer. Try using sharp garden shears or scissors to trim them every 2 to 3 days, since you want to make sure you don't damage the stem during this process.

2. Prune: To prevent bacterial growth and rot, remove dead or loose leaves and petals. Roses for example, have "guard" petals (2-3 layers) that you can remove to allow it to open fully. Lilies, on the other hand don't have that many petals, but you can remove the pollen to keep them blooming longer. Be careful while you do this, since the pollen can stain fabrics and if pollen gets on the flower petals, can reduce the life of your blooms.

3. Clean Fresh Water: It is certainly best to dump old water and wash your vase every 2-3 days vs. just adding water. Please be aware, it is important to make sure nothing but the stems are submerged under water. Having leaves or petals under the water line will speed the bacterial growth & rot process. You can also mix Flower food on room temperature water to give them a nice treat.

4. Avoid Direct Sunlight, Drafts, Heat and Fruits: Flowers will stay fresh longer in rooms with cool temperatures, although drafts (Ceiling fans and A/C vents) can cause them to dehydrate. Remember to avoid Direct Sunlight, lamps, candles, appliances or anything that can generate heat. Lastly, try keeping them away from ripening fruits. Specially tomatoes, bananas and apples which produce high levels of ethylene gas that affects the longevity of your arrangement.

I hope these quick tips help you answer some common questions, and help you keep your arrangements looking fresh longer. After all, its all about admiring their beauty as long as we can!