Flower Care Tips

Many people are often disappointed by how short-lived a bouquet of fresh flowers may last once they get it home. People tend to forget that fresh cut flowers are still living and they can last much longer when care for properly. The following tips will help your flowers last longer.

Tip #1:

Replenish the water as needed. Change the water completely every 2-3 days.

Flowers drink a lot of water! Keep the vase full to ensure the flowers do not dry out and wilt. Flowers are also highly susceptible to bacteria that builds up as stems sit in the water. By changing the water in the vase every few days, even if the water hasn’t been used up, will help keep your flowers fresh longer (and avoid that horrid rotten smell that develops if you let them sit a long time). For large arrangements, carefully tip the vase over a sink to let the water drain without disturbing the design. Then re-fill the vase by gently pouring water in at the top of the flowers.

Tip #2:

Trim at least a half inch of stem off your flowers before you put them in a vase and each time you change the water.

As flowers sit out of water, the ends of the stem dry out and the cells die, this makes it difficult for the flowers to absorb water. By cutting the stems just before placing them in water again, they can suck up the water much more efficiently.

Tip #3:

Keep your flowers away from bright light and heat.

Some people think they should set their flowers in a sunny windowsill since that is where a plant would be happiest. However, cut flowers are actually the opposite of potted plants. They are at their peak of perfection. Sun and heat will encourage them to “mature” and thus quicken their demise. Instead, keep your cut flowers in a cooler, shaded spot if you would like them to last as long as possible.

Tip #4:

Before adding flowers to your vase, be sure to wash the vase/container very thoroughly in hot soapy water or, better yet, in your dishwasher.

Bacteria builds up in dirty vases and does not away just because the vase dries out. As soon as you add water again, the vase will once again be full of bacteria.. Give your flowers a fresh clean environment free of bacteria and they will last much longer.

Tip #5:

Use “flower food” for most flowers.

While changing the water every other day or so is often just as effective for making flowers last longer, adding those flower food packets that come with packaged flowers are beneficial as well. This is especially true if you’re forgetful and won’t be changing your flowers’ water regularly. In addition to “feeding” the bouquet, these food packets contain a bactericide that keeps the water fresh longer. You can make your own flower food by adding about 1 teaspoon of sugar, 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and a 1 teaspoon of bleach to your vase before adding about a quart of warm tap water. It is worth noting that there are a few flowers that actually do NOT like flower food in the vase. Some of these are: Sunflowers and gladiolas.

Tip #6:

Use sharp scissors when cutting.

If you use dull old scissors or snips to trim your flowers, you are often smashing, and thus damaging, the tissue/cells at the end of the stem. Damaged cells cannot absorb water as effectively as healthy cells. Sharp scissors ensure a clean cut that leaves cells unharmed.