Top tips to make your cut flowers last longer
- This post will help you make the most of your beautiful bouquet and make your cut flowers last longer
- When you get your flowers home be they from a supermarket or your local florist the first thing you need to is remove all packaging. Flowers often come in cellophane which makes them sweat and reduces their life if left on. If your flowers have been hand tied in a spiral by a florist you can keep them tied or release them (after you have recut the stems) just before you place them in your vase to maintain the arrangement.
- Remove any foliage that will sit below the waterline. If you let foliage touch the water in your vase it will start to decay and pollute the water and this will shorten the life of your flowers.
- Next you need to recut the flower stems at a 45 degree angle. You need to do this in order to reopen the stems and allow the flowers to drink. A 45 degree increases surface area allowing the flowers to drink most successfully. Put them straight into fresh water as soon as you recut them other wise they will callus over when exposed to the air and block up the stem.
- Always use an appropriate, water tight vessel for your arrangement. Make sure the vase you choice is large enough for the arrangement. Don’t cram lots of stems into a tiny vase! Think about how tall your flowers are. A beautifully tall bunch of lilies would not only look silly in short, shallow vase but also their stems wouldn’t be very supported and they could flop over as the flower open. As a general rule your vessel should represent one third of the combined height of your vase and flowers and your flowers should represent two thirds, this creates good proportion and means your flowers won’t be overwhelmed by the vessel.
- Always use flower food this helps stop bacteria developing too quickly in the water. It also provides extra nutrients for your flowers, makings them bloom beautifully and last longer. You can buy flower food from websites such as eBay or Amazon or at your local garden centre.
- Change the water in your vase every 1-2 days to prevent bacteria build up and recut the ends of the flower stems at an angle every couple of days, this keeps the stems unblocked so they can keep taking up water.
- Display your flowers in a cool room, alway from direct sunlight. A bright sunny window ledge is not the ideal home for cut flowers, too much heat and bright sun will cause wilting and shorten the life your blooms. Some flowers are phototropic such as Tulips, Peonies and Ranunculus, this means they bend towards the light. I find this a really charming quality but if you don’t want bendy flowers turn your vase regularly so the flowers start to bend the other way and straighten.
- Remove spent stems from your vase regularly. Decaying flowers release more ethylene gas and will cause the surrounding stems to age quicker too. Fruit also releases ethylene gas so keep your flowers away from your fruit bowl!
- Finally enjoy your lovely flowers! Visit my flower shop to order your bouquet with local delivery within 10 miles of Kings Heath, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
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