Remove any excess foliage that will be below water. Any foliage under water will decay. Decaying foliage will stimulate bacterial growth, which will restrict the uptake of water. This will cause flowers to wilt. Place the stem in 1100 F. water.
Warm water moves into the stems more readily than cold water.
Always use a clean sterile container for arranging flowers. Add a commercial flower preservative to this warm water. These preservatives are a combination of sugars, acidifiers and a mild fungicidal agent, all of which help extend the life of cut flowers. You can obtain these at your local florist or garden center. After putting the flowers in warm water, wrap the flowers in paper or cover with a plastic bag to prevent water loss.