The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Lilies for Tet: A Blooming Marvel that Defies the Cold

Lilies are a popular choice for the Tet holiday in Vietnam. These flowers come in a variety of colors such as pink, yellow, and red, and different forms such as single or double blooms, offering a range of options for customers.

To arrange and care for lilies in a way that ensures their longevity over the festive period, it is essential to know how to select the best ones. The freshness and durability of the flowers largely depend on the initial choice of blooms.

How to Choose Long-Lasting Lilies

When selecting lilies, look for stems where the lowest bud is starting to swell and show some color.

Opt for stems with healthy, pest-free foliage. Avoid those with damaged or wilted leaves.

Refrain from choosing stems that have been snapped or have wilted leaves, as the flowers are more likely to drop their buds.

How to Distinguish Fresh Lilies from Frozen Ones

To differentiate between fresh and frozen lilies, examine the roots, stems, and leaves. If the leaves appear wilted, lacking vigor, or discolored, or if the stems, leaves, and flowers show signs of bruising or uneven blooming, it is best to avoid those flowers. These could be signs that the flowers were cut a long time ago and have been treated with chemicals and frozen.

Flowers that have been frozen often lack freshness. When taken out, their leaves tend to curl and wilt slightly. They lack fragrance, appear dull, and lose the fine hairs on their leaves and petals. If you purchase these flowers, they will not bloom, and within a day or two, they will start to rot and shed their petals.

Additionally, be cautious of flowers that are priced too low, as they may be frozen or of inferior quality. These flowers tend to wilt quickly once you bring them home.

Fresh lilies, on the other hand, exhibit vibrant and bright colors, with stiff stems. Both the flowers and leaves are adorned with fine hairs. The leaves show no signs of bruising, and the flowers are firm. Freshly cut stems will also ooze sap.

The double-bloom variety of lilies features petals arranged in multiple layers.

How to Arrange Lilies for Longevity

For cut lilies, use a sharp knife to cut the stems at an angle before placing them in water to prevent wilting.

Always clean the vase before arranging flowers to prevent bacterial growth that can cause the flowers to rot.

Instead of plain water, add a small amount of dish soap or dissolve a vitamin B1 tablet in the water to disinfect and inhibit bacterial and fungal growth, ensuring the flowers stay fresh for longer.

Mixing one liter of water with two tablespoons of lemon juice is another effective way to prolong the life of the flowers.

Alternatively, you can crush an aspirin tablet and mix it with the water to achieve similar results.

When arranging the lilies, remove the anthers (the pollen-bearing part) to prevent staining and extend the life of the flowers.

Change the water every two days, and remember to clean the vase and trim the stems each time to prevent rot and improve water absorption.

Suggested Lily Arrangements

If you don’t consider yourself particularly crafty, opt for these simple lily arrangements.

Experiment with different vase shapes and sizes.

Mix and match different colors to create a vibrant display.

According to Khoevadep