Flowers should be cut when the buds are beginning to open fo rlonger lasting results

Cut flowers last longest in a cool location, out of direct sun and away from drafts. Not always an easy proposition in the Jamaican climate!

The flowers should be cut when the buds are beginning to open, for longer lasting results. Carry a container of cool water right out to the garden, and plunge the stems into the water immediately after cutting. Be sure to use a sharp tool when cutting to avoid crushing the stem, and cut at an angle to increase the surface area from which the stem can take up water.

When you bring the flowers indoors, submerge the stem ends in a tub of water and trim them again, then immediately transfer to a vase, also filled with water. (The idea is to keep the cut ends immersed at all times.)

After two or three days, trim the bottom centimetre off the stems, again keeping the ends submerged as much as possible.

Some people find that using a floral preservative, or a baby aspirin, helps prolong the flowers' life; others find they get the same results with plain water.