From the plant's perspective, timing is the most critical factor for successful vase life. Nerine bowdenii, the most common species for cut flowers, is a geophyte, meaning it stores energy in a true bulb. Its growth cycle is opposite to many summer blooms. Flower stalks emerge in late summer to autumn, often before the long, strap-like leaves appear. Harvesting must align with the plant's developmental stage. The optimal moment is when the first bud in the umbel (the cluster at the top of the scape) is just beginning to crack open and show color, but is not fully unfurled. Cutting at this "cracking" stage ensures the flower has fully developed and drawn maximum resources from the bulb, yet will still open completely for the end-user. Harvesting too early results in buds that fail to open, while harvesting too late sacrifices valuable vase life.
The act of cutting the flower scape is a wounding event. To minimize stress and prevent the plant from losing valuable moisture and sap, use a sharp, sterilized knife or pruners. Make a clean, angled cut at the base of the stem. Immediately after severing the stem from the bulb, the vascular tissues (xylem) begin to seal. To counteract this, the stems must be placed into deep, clean water as soon as possible. It is crucial to avoid submerging the emerging inflorescence. The plant's vascular system will then begin to draw up water, a process known as hydration. This initial hydration period is vital; allowing stems to wilt even briefly will drastically reduce their potential longevity. A long, deep drink for several hours in a cool, dark place prepares the stems for their journey indoors.
Once hydrated, the focus shifts to sustaining the flower. The primary threats from the plant's viewpoint are vascular blockage and ethylene gas. Bacteria and fungi in the water colonize the cut stem end, clogging the xylem and preventing water uptake. Using a clean vase and adding a floral preservative is essential. The preservative provides sugars (mimicking the plant's own photosynthetic energy), a biocide to fight microbes, and an acidifier to lower the water's pH, which improves water flow. Nerines are moderately sensitive to ethylene, a plant hormone that accelerates aging and petal drop. Keeping them away from ripening fruit, exhaust fumes, and wilting flowers helps mitigate this effect.
Nerine bulbs produce their foliage after flowering, a strategy to photosynthesize and replenish the bulb for the next season. When harvested for cut flowers, the leafless scape is the star. This is actually a benefit, as it eliminates the common issue of foliar decay fouling the vase water. The strong, straight stem is self-supporting. From a display perspective, this allows the vibrant, intricate blooms to be the sole focus. Their needs in the vase are simple: continued access to clean, treated water and a location away from direct sunlight and excessive heat, which would accelerate transpiration and metabolic processes, leading to a quicker demise.
