One of the reasons we appreciate how beautiful cut flowers are, is that they don’t last forever. But with a little bit of green fingered advice from the talented florists at The Green Room, you can help your flowers stay looking gorgeous for a little bit longer!
There are a few simple rules that you can follow to help keep your cut flowers fresher for longer, the advice below applied to (nearly) all flowers:
Choose the Right Vase – If you have received a gorgeous bouquet of flowers then showing it off in your favourite vase is probably your first instinct. However, before you do check that the vase is suitable for the flowers that you have been given. For example, if it is a large bouquet choose a wide vase with lots of space, or if there are a lot of tall top-heavy stems choose a taller vase to support them.
Water is Important – Flowers thrive in water so ensure you fill their vase with what they need when you arrange your bouquet. Use room temperature water as cold water will give them a shock and warm water will wilt them. Remember the best thing you can do for your flowers it to top up the water regularly or they will die very quickly!
Snip your Stems – When you receive your bouquet and before you place them in the vase give them a snip to refresh the stems. Cut at least 2cm from the end of each stem and if you can at a 45-degree angle. You may want to cut more off depending on the size of the vase you are using. Snipping them on an angle stop the stems from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase and helps them drink up the water. Use sharp scissors so you don’t crush the stems and give them a re-trim every few days. Remember also to snip away any leaves that will be below the water line as they will rot.
Flower Food is your Friend – Flower food should be included when you first place your stems in their new vase. Flower food helps replace nutrients that the flowers got from the soil to keep them looking great for as long as possible.
Vase Placement – Where you choose to display your flowers has a big impact on how long they will last. Keep your flowers away from direct sunlight and cool draughts, its also important not to keep them too close to a heat source such as a fireplace or radiator as this will dehydrate them quickly and they will not last as long. Keeping them away from ripe fruit bowls is also a good idea as the gas ripening fruit gives off shortens flowers lives.
Room to Grow – Some flowers in your bouquet will be in bud form, this gives more time for the flower to develop in your home and makes your bouquet last longer, even if it does not look as impressive when it arrives. So, if your bouquet has flowers still in bud ensure you choose a larger vase so there is room for them to grow.