How to Care for Fresh-Cut Oriental Lilies

Fresh-cut Oriental lilies need variety-specific care to increase their longevity and health after being cut. Oriental lilies are a variety valued for their beauty and strong fragrance. There are a variety of cultivars of Oriental lilies, including Black Beauty, Journey's End, Stargazer, Casa Blanca and Yellow Ribbons. They are larger than Asiatic lilies and are known to grow in white, burgundies, pinks and yellows shades. Each bloom lasts three to four days in and around August.

Scissors
Vase
Water
Commercial floral preservative or 1/2 teaspoon of sugar

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the pollen sack from the blossom filament as soon as the flower opens. This will save the flower from being covered in its yellow pollen. Pull the pollen sacks with your finger if the bud is half-bloomed. Use scissors to remove the pollen sack if the bud is fully bloomed.
- 2
  Cut off any wilted parts of the flower with scissors to allow the other buds to bloom.
- 3
  Place the lilies in a vase of water and change the water every three days.
- 4
  Add commercial floral preservative every time you change the water. Or make your own floral preservative by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of table sugar to a quart of cold water.
- 5
  Cut 1/2 inch off the base of the stem that is underwater with a knife after every water change.

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