How to Make Your Bouquets Last Longer

Cut flowers can bring beauty and fragrance into any home, but their delicate nature often means that they don't last as long as we would like. Fortunately, with the right care, you can extend the life of your cut flowers. Here are ten tips to help you keep your bouquets fresh and vibrant for as long as possible.

1. Choose Fresh Flowers

When buying cut flowers, always select the freshest ones available. Look for flowers that are in bud form or just beginning to open. Avoid flowers with wilting petals, yellowing leaves, or any sign of mold. Fresh flowers have a longer vase life and will continue to bloom beautifully in your home.

2. Use a Clean Vase

Before arranging your flowers, thoroughly clean your vase with hot, soapy water. Rinse it well to remove any soap residue. A clean vase prevents bacteria from growing, which can cause your flowers to wilt prematurely.

3. Remove Excess Foliage

Remove any leaves that will be submerged in the water. Leaves in the water can rot, encouraging the growth of bacteria that can harm your flowers. Keep the stems clean and free of foliage below the waterline.

4. Trim the Stems

Using a sharp pair of scissors or flower shears, trim the stems of your flowers at a 45-degree angle right before placing in water. This angle increases the surface area for water absorption and prevents the stems from sitting flat against the bottom of the vase. Trim about an inch off the bottom of each stem and re-trim them every few days to keep them fresh. Some flowers, like roses, tend to get air bubbles stuck in their stems, blocking water flow; to prevent, cut the flower stems underwater.

5. Use Flower Food

Most bouquets come with a packet of flower food. This food contains essential nutrients and antibacterial agents that help extend the life of your flowers. Most vases only need about half of a packet of flower food; using too much can harm your flowers. If you don't have flower food, you can make your own by mixing a teaspoon of sugar, a few drops of bleach, and a teaspoon of lemon or lime juice in a quart of water.

6. Change the Water Regularly

To keep your flowers fresh, change the water in the vase every two to three days. Each time you change the water, rinse the vase and add fresh flower food. Clean water reduces the risk of bacterial growth and keeps your flowers hydrated. Flowers with thick, woody stems (e.g. roses) should be placed in warm water. Flowers with soft stems (e.g. tulips) should be placed in cold water. As a general rule, you can use lukewarm water when mixing various flower types.

7. Keep Flowers Away from Heat and Direct Sunlight

Place your vase of flowers in a cool location, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and drafts. Flowers last longer in cooler temperatures, and exposure to heat and sunlight can cause them to wilt quickly. Avoid placing your flowers near appliances like radiators, stoves, or electronic devices that generate heat. Also, try to keep flowers away from ripening fruit. Ethylene gas from fruit ages flowers faster, causing them to wilt. Store fruits and flowers separately to extend bouquet life.

8. Watch out for Narcissistic Blooms

Separate harmful flowers into their own container. Fresh-cut hyacinths, irises, and daffodils produce toxic chemicals that can kill other plants when sharing the same water source. Cut to desired length, then keep these flowers in a separate container for 24 hours before combining them with other flower types. Remember not to recut or you will need to re-soak them.

9. Mist the Flowers

Lightly mist your flowers with water every day. This helps keep the petals hydrated and can prolong their freshness. Use a spray bottle and mist the blooms in the morning or evening when the temperature is cooler.

10. Remove Wilting Flowers

As soon as you notice any flowers beginning to wilt or die, remove them from the arrangement. Wilting flowers can produce ethylene gas, which can negatively affect the remaining fresh flowers. By removing them promptly, you can help the rest of the bouquet stay fresh longer.

By following these ten tips, you can keep your flowers looking fabulous and smelling wonderful for days. Remember, each flower is unique and has its own special needs, so do a quick check on how to best care for them. With a bit of extra love and attention, your flowers will brighten up your home and lift your spirits for many days to come.

Summary

·       Remove all packaging and trim the stems on a diagonal

·       Keep flowers away from direct sunlight and heat

·       Place in a clean vase and fill ¾ of the way with (cool) water

·       Change the water and trim the stems every 2-3 days

·       Add flower food to minimize bacteria in the water

·       Remove wilted blooms and leaves to keep the water fresh