Fresh flowers are supposed to last for days, not just hours. These are not fancy products; the magic answer is some simple habits to get your stems nice and hydrated with no nasty bacteria growing in that pretty little vase of yours. You can apply them with almost any bouquet in your home with the best advice, florist-style!
The first thing to do is wash your vase (really well!) with hot soapy water. Bacteria are one of the primary causes of flagging flowers.
2) Use fresh, cool water
Get a fresh vase of water ASAP. It should be just room temperature, and if your home is quite warm, you can even get away with slightly cooler. Pro Tip: Do not let the water level fall too much, as the stems will drink more than you think in the first 24 hours. When you need a Tewkesbury Florist, visit the Flower Shed.
3) Add food and add it correctly
Most flowers and some bouquets come with a sachet of flower food, or may have been added to your bouquet when you purchased it. This helps in the faster feeding of the flowers and results in fewer bacteria. Stir it well into the water, and do not pour directly onto blooms/ leaves. Ask your Tewkesbury Florist for more information about the correct feeding of flowers.
4) Delicately cut the stems – yes, even if you believe they look good
Cut the base of each stem about 2cm before putting them in a vase. Use sharp scissors or secateurs and cut at an angle so the stem can drink water better. Trim off any mushy/split ends.
5) Remove leaves that sit below the water in the container
Leaves in water will soon rot and spoil the vase. Remove the lower leaves to leave nothing but stems underwater. This will help to keep your flowers healthier for longer.
6) Cooler temperatures and indirect light
Flowers last longer away from:
Radiators and fires
Sunny windowsills
Areas with changing heat and steam, such as kitchens
Sometimes simply placing it in a cooler room can help.
7) Change the water regularly
In general, you should change the water every 2 days (or every day if it is hot). Rinse the vase quickly, fill it with water, and — again, add more flower food if you have it available.
8) Watch for “one bad stem.”
As a flower starts to wilt, simply remove it. Decaying stems quicken bacteria and may cut the life expectancy of the rest of the bunch.
