Fresh flowers are the perfect way to brighten up any space. However, whether it’s a colourful bouquet, a sophisticated floral card, or a perfect single bloom, we want to ensure that it stays looking good for as long as possible. Fortunately, there are ways to make flowers last much longer. We asked our florists to share their tips.
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Pick the correct size of vase
This may not seem important but if the opening of your vase is too narrow, the stems may be squashed. Equally, if the mouth is too wide, you may find it difficult to create an aesthetically pleasing display with your arrangement. You should also consider the height of the vase. Too short and the stems will not get the correct support. Too tall and the flowers may disappear inside the vase.
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Cut the stems before you put them in the vase
If you buy flowers from a store, you should cut the stems before you place them in a vase to allow water to penetrate through the stem. If they’ve come from a reputable florist with same-day delivery, they will have cut the stems as they made up the bouquet and so you may be able to omit this step. In any case, you should cut the stems every 3-4 days when you change the water. To cut the stems, simply use sharp scissors or small pruning shears and cut a small amount from the bottom of the stem at a 45o angle.
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Remove excess greenery
If the leaves are submerged beneath the water, they will rot; so, make sure to remove any excess leaves and greenery from the base area of the stem. This helps to decrease the bacteria, keep the water cleaner for longer and prevent nasty smells.
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Add flower food or a DIY solution
Many flower arrangements come with a sachet of proprietary flower food to add to the water in the vase. However, you can make a DIY solution by combining 2tbsp of sugar with 2tbsp of white vinegar. The sugar provides nourishment for the flowers and encourages the blooms to open while the vinegar will help to inhibit bacteria growth in the water. If you don’t have vinegar and sugar, try lemonade!
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Change the water regularly
The best way to keep your flowers fresh is to keep the water clean and fresh. Ideally, you should change the water every 2-3 days. Simply, take the flowers from the vase, pour away the old water, rinse the vase and fill it with fresh water. At this stage, you may also want to add in some ‘flower food’ or sugar and vinegar as previously mentioned. While the flowers are out of the vase, be sure to trim the stems at a 45o angle again to remove the ends.
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Remove dying and wilting flowers
Some flowers will naturally last longer than others. Some may wilt within a few days; others will last for weeks. When you see that a bloom is naturally coming to an end, remove it from the arrangement. If left too long, it will deteriorate and may contaminate the surrounding healthy flowers. It will also keep your arrangement looking much fresher and healthier overall.
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Display your flowers in a cool and shady spot
The longevity of your flowers will depend on where they are displayed. It’s best to keep them in a cool, draft-free and shady spot where they can receive indirect natural light. As a side note, you should keep your flowers away from fruits and kitchen appliances as these release ethylene gas which contributes to wilting.
And there you have it – 7 ways to keep your flowers looking fresh for longer. At Florette, we sell the fresh flowers in Dubai, the most beautiful blooms and offer an amazing delivery service 7 days a week. Order your flowers now.
