Taking care of your
cut flowers
You want to keep your cut flowers beautiful for as long as you can.
Here are some simple tips to help prolong their life.
ADD WATER AND CHECK THE WATER LEVEL DAILY.
Adding water to the vase is the best way to help flower arrangements stay fresh and last longer. It seems
obvious but remember that the more flowers in the arrangement, the need for water will increase, since
some types of cut flowers drink more water than others, make sure to check the water level daily, adding
more as necessary.
CUT (AND RECUT) THE ENDS OF THE STEMS.
To make your flowers soak up the most water possible, you’ll need to cut the ends of the stems. Keep
trimming them daily, when you change the water in the vase. Once a flower is out of water for a few
seconds the stems dries up, so it needs to be recut to take in the water.
USE THE PACKET OF FLOWER FOOD…
If your bouquet of flowers came with a small packet, don’t toss it in the bin! Packets of powdered flower
food can help nourish your flowers, making them last longer. Most flower food contains sugar (nutrients), an
acidifier (to maintain the water’s pH level and help the stems soak up water), and bleach (to reduce bacteria in
the water). Rather than dump in the whole packet at once, sprinkle it in in moderation. Packets of flower food
that you receive with your flowers can be added a little at a time when you change the water.
…OR MAKE YOUR OWN CONCOCTION.
If you don’t have flower food, you can easily make your own by mixing water with sugar, lemon or lime juice,
and household bleach. These three ingredients will nourish your flowers, keep their stems open, and kill
bacteria that could prematurely age them.
STERILISE THE VASE.
When it comes to flowers, cleanliness matters. A clean vase filled with fresh water is the best way to keep your
flowers fresh. Before putting flowers in a vase, you can disinfect the
vase with bleach and water. Simple soap and water should work,
too, but use bleach if you want to be extra careful
CHOOSE WHERE TO PUT YOUR FLOWERS WISELY.
If flowers get too warm, they’ll wilt a lot faster. It’s best practice
is to keep your flower arrangement in a cool environment, away
from direct sunlight, heater vents, and entry doors. Surprisingly
putting flowers in the fridge overnight helped to keep the flowers
alive for a longer time. So, if you can fit your flowers in the fridge,
the cold temperature will help preserve them.
STICK WITH THE BASICS—AND IGNORE OLD WIVES’ TALES.
People have experimented with different ways to keep flowers
fresh longer. Putting certain items such as aspirin, pennies, vodka,
soda, and mouthwash in the vase can reportedly help flowers last
longer. Although some of these ideas have a basis in chemistry,
most experiments show (and florists agree) that following steps
above will give your flowers the best chance to stay alive for a
long time.
Blossom Florist Motherwell 01698 760200
147 Windmillhil Street, Motherwell ML1 1RY