1: When you buy flowers make sure that they are at the optimum condition. Look for flowers where the bud shows some color.

2: Flowers should be carefully packed when they are taken home, as this prevents damage to flowers or stems.

3: Place the flowers, still in their wrapping in fresh water to allow them to drink.

4: Make sure the flowers are put into a clean vase.

5: The flowers will last longer if you use cut flower food. Make sure you use the correct amount.

6: Before arranging the flowers in a vase, cut off approximately an inch from each stem - preferably at an angle.

7: Stems should never be broken off or flattened - not even "woody stems:. Scraping off the bark will also shorten the flower life.

8: Leaves should never be covered with water as they will only make it dirty and this will decrease the longevity of the flowers.

9: Regularly top up the vase with clean water.

10: At night, flowers prefer to be kept cool and they will benefit from a lower thermostat setting.

11: Daffodils can be deadly to other flowers because they secrete a poison in the water. After trimming, leave them on their own for a whole day and do not cut again before combining them with other flowers. However, a special cut flower food is available for daffodils and this enables them to be mixed with other cut flowers immediately.

12: Flowers do not like direct sunlight or draughts. Also keep them away from fruit, as it lets off a gas called ethylene which accelerates the aging process of flowers.