Kristen,
I've been cutting sunflowers when the petals are perpendicular (sp?) to the brown disc. Sometimes half of the petals are still tight against the disc. They've lasted over a week in the vase with plain water.

Asiatic lilies at market generally sell at $4 to $5 per stem. Sometimes gypsophilia as a no filler. They are coming in pretty heavy at the moment from South America. At the wholesale level, they are seeing $1.50 - $2.00/stem.

August is a perfect time for sunflowers actually. Don't feel you are late with this one. You didn't, however, mention which sunflowers you were concerned. On the Sunbright, many times we don't get them cut until they are fully cupped. In our heat, they came on with a vengeance this season. These things have a habit of opening by the thousands during the night. As my granddaughter says, "Boom. It happens. No problem with these however. They last two weeks in the vase. It's always a good idea to cut into preservative water. Check the water level again if you are holding them for any length of time. These folks are heavy drinkers. I'm assuming the sunflowers that are droopy the following day for you are the multi-branching type. We have never had good results with these. By nature, they are droopy. One cannot expect to get top dollar for these at the market. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry grow the multi-branching. I guess because they get many cuttings per plant. So, we stick with the single stem variety. And, we try to stay ahead of the game with some of the new varieties. Here's a photo of our latest sunflower obsession..........

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They're not droopy. The bunches on the left and the right were stuck in the container at an angle. I used the medium and small flower heads for these. Because our spacing is 6" and 9" and 12," we're able to harvest three sizes.

Hmm, not sure I'd get five bucks a stem for asiatics. I sold 'em for two bucks and they sold out , though. Next week I'll up it to three.

Flowerfarmer, wow, that is a lovely bouquet. what is the red??? I can't quite see it...

gardenlover, thanks-- I cut some when they were like this and they are doing much better!!

flowerfarmer-- actually, last summer I had mostly single-stem types (this summer, I do have quite a few multibranching which I'm not liking as well) and the single-stems drooped too. I think I have been cutting too late-- gotta cut a bit earlier , right before the "Boom it happens" part.

Pretty, pretty! Me want one !
Great bouquets, flowerfarmer! Is that eucalyptus? And what is that small red flower? It really makes the bouquet "pop"!

It looks like orange butterfly weed to me, is that it? Really great looking bunches. I'd buy one!
Cheryl

It looks like red/orange Yarrow to me. Beautiful Sunnies!