There’s nothing like a bouquet of bright blooms to bring life to a room. And while it’s a sad fact that fresh cut flowers don’t last long, the good news is that there are things you can do to maintain the longevity of your blooms – so you can enjoy them for longer.
Here are a few flower-care tips to extend the life of your posy:
1. Trim the stems
When you get your beautiful blooms home, the first thing you should do is put them in water. One of the most common mistakes people make, however, is forgetting to cut the stems. Do this using garden shears or a sharp pair of scissors, ensuring that you cut on an angle. This allows for better water intake since the stems won’t be sitting flat against the base of the vase.
It’s a good idea to re-trim the flowers every few days, too.
2. Prune the posy
Before putting the flowers into water, remove any leaves and small stems that will sit below the water line. This doesn’t just make the bouquet look better, it also prevents bacterial growth and rot. Some flowers, such as roses, have excess petals called ‘guard petals’, which are the outermost petals that protect the bloom. By removing these, you allow your flower to open up completely.
After the first pruning, check on your flowers each day to remove dead or loose petals and leaves.
3. Feed your flowers
It’s important to put your flowers into a clean vase with room temperature water – not too warm and not too cold. You should also add the packet of flower food that comes with your bunch. This contains a mix of chemicals to nourish the plant and prevent bacterial growth. Make sure to properly mix in the contents so that the flower food is thoroughly dissolved.
It’s a good idea to clean the vase well and change the water every two or three days. If you don’t have flower food, a mixture of one tablespoon of sugar and two tablespoons of lemon juice works a treat!
4. Keep it cool
Rooms that are too warm will cause your flowers to wilt faster than cool rooms. Try to avoid placing your posy in direct sunlight or near appliances that generate heat. Open windows, heating or cooling vents and fans will dehydrate the flowers more quickly, so make sure to keep your flowers away from these sources.
Lastly, keep flowers away the fruit bowl – it might sound strange but ripening fruits release small amounts of ethylene gas, which can degrade your bouquet.
What are your tips for keeping cut flowers fresh for longer?
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