I always cut when there are still some floret clusters still unopened. You should get a week to 10 days out of it with floral solution. They do bleed sap, but it is the only milkweed with clear sap. I usually cut and strip the leaves and put in a bucket in the field so it can bleed into that water. Then I put it in fresh water with floral preservative when I get to the house before I deliver them.

Steve