How to Cut Tahitian Gardenias

The Tahitian gardenia is a tropical shrub with bright green foliage and pinwheel-shaped flowers with a strong, attractive scent. It is best to cut flowers in the morning while it's cooler, as the flowers won't wilt as quickly. Cutting the stems at an angle helps the flower absorb more water from the vase. Making a second cut underwater prevents air bubbles from forming at the base, keeping the stem open for water absorption. Biocide, known commonly as flower food, is found at any florist store and keeps the flowers from developing bacteria while also nourishing them.

Sharp gardening shears
Bucket
Water
Vase
Biocide (flower food)

Instructions

- 1
  Cut flowers in the morning. Take a bucket filled with warm water into your garden. Walk to the back or side of the gardenia plant. Look for branches with several blooms in different locations, to avoid cutting too many flowers from a single spot.
- 2
  Cut both green and woody stems at a 45-degree angle, and immediately place in the bucket of warm water. Once inside your kitchen or mud room, cut off the foliage near the base of the stem to avoid clogging the vase. Turn on the faucet and run lukewarm water. Fill a vase two-thirds full with water. Add flower food to the water, as directed by the manufacturer, and set the vase aside.
- 3
  Under running water, cut the green stems 1 inch from the original cut, at a 45-degree angle, and immediately place in the vase. Cut woody stems 1 inch vertically, splitting the base of the stem in two, and place in the vase.
- 4
  Refill the water in the vase as necessary, and add additional flower food as needed.

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