The first bloom is past its prime as I cut the scape. The scape, itself, can last anywhere up to ten days in water, with a pitch of sugar added. I recut the end of the stem when its gets soft and replace the water as it become cloudy. But a tightly closed bud will still open, even after being cut. The cut scapes of some cultivars seem to be particularly long lived in water: Terracotta Star is a good example from this season.
