How To Make Fresh Flowers Last Longer: 8 Effective Tips from Florists

Ever wondered what it takes to keep a bouquet of fresh flowers dazzling and lively for your tabletop or office desk? Fresh flowers add a splash of nature’s best colour to our spaces and significantly affect our mood, comfort, and productivity. However, seeing these lovely blooms wither sooner than expected can be quite disheartening. It’s a scenario we are all too familiar with and want to avoid.

Using essential flower care strategies, we will provide you with tips on how to preserve the sparking allure and extend the lifespan of your fresh flowers.

Tip #1: Keep fresh flowers away from drafts and extreme temperatures.

Maintaining an optimal temperature plays an important role in flower preservation. Flowers are sensitive beings: excessive heat and cold, or swift fluctuations in temperature can shorten their lifespan. It’s beneficial to keep them in cooler, stable conditions for lasting freshness.

Tip #2: Avoid placing flowers in window sills and other areas with full sun.

Yes, flowers are the children of the sun, but full-blown sunbathing can be particularly harsh for your cut blooms. Prolonged exposure can lead to wilting and discoloration adversely affecting your floral decor. Instead, opt for a spot with bright, indirect sunlight to keep them looking fresh and vibrant, longer.

Tip #3: Clean the vase thoroughly to remove any bacteria.

The secret to bright, blooming flowers that last longer lies not only in the care of the flowers themselves but also in the place they call home–the vase. A diligent wash with soapy water helps eliminate harmful bacteria that can inhibit the health and growth of your flowers. Maintain a clean base for your floral arrangements for extended freshness.

Tip #4: Be sure to rinse thoroughly.

Just as washing is essential for flower care, so is thorough rinsing. The remaining soap residue can interfere with water intake, hindering your flowers from absorbing sufficient nutrients. Take a few extra moments to rinse out your vase thoroughly, ensuring a hospitable environment for your blooms.

Tip #5: Place the bouquets in fresh water with flower food.

Just like us, flowers need food, too! Flower food is a specialized mixture of nutrients and additives designed to nourish your flowers and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. As cut flowers are removed from their roots, their life support system is severed, leaving the flowers to rely solely on stored carbohydrates.

Here's a simple recipe to whip up your very own homemade flower food:

• 1 quart of water

• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon of sugar

• ½ tablespoon of bleach

Tip #6: Cut stems with a sharp knife or a scissor at an angle of about 1-2".

Each time you change the water, take the opportunity to retrim the stems. Cut about 1-2 inches off at an angle to maintain good water absorption. Cutting the stem diagonally, as opposed to a straight cut across, maximizes the surface area available for water to be absorbed. A flower with an oblique cut at the base can guzzle up much more liquid than it could with a flat, straight cut.

Tip #7: Remove leaves that fall below the water level.

While leaves are wonderful when they’re where they’re supposed to be—on trees in the great outdoors—they can often spell trouble when found submerged in a vase of fresh flowers. Leaves submerged underwater tend to rot and lead to bacterial growth, which can be a big no-no for flower health. Practice regular leaf removal to ensure that your flowers have the best possible conditions to flourish.

Tip #8: Repeat these steps every 2-3 days.

The saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day” also applies to flower preservation. Regularly repeating these steps every 2-3 days ensures your flowers stay lively, vibrant, and fresh for an extended period.

A beautiful flower arrangement has a way of breathing life into any space, and we hope that you take these tips and create lasting, memorable bouquets that hold a special place in your heart. Embrace the joy of flower care, and share your newfound knowledge with your loved ones, spreading the love for these blooming wonders.

Ready to add colour and life to your home? Order an arrangement for local delivery at houseofblooms.ca/shop

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