Everyone loves receiving flowers. They are a wonderful way to commemorate accomplishments, show your love and support, and remind your loved ones that you are thinking of them. Typically, a fresh bouquet will only last a few days. But there are simple ways to prolong your beautiful bouquet’s life.
Here are six tips and tricks to help keep your floral arrangement alive longer!
1) Properly Cut the Stems
You should make it a habit to always cut the stems of your flowers before placing them in water. Use a sharp knife or scissors to re-cut each stem before it enters the vase. Cutting on a slight angle will increase the surface area for water uptake. Making the cuts in the sink underwater will ensure air doesn’t block the water-conducting tissues at the end of the stem. Do not crush or tear the stems; it will restrict water uptake and give bacteria microbes more entry points.
2) Choose the Right Size Vase
Picking the correct size vase is essential for the life of your cut flower arrangement. You want to ensure the clipped stems fit nicely into the vase’s opening. If the opening is too narrow, the flower stems might look cramped or squished, so either remove some flowers to create a smaller bunch or find a larger vase to utilize. If your vase’s opening is too wide, the arrangement will not have any form or shape.
3) Continually Refresh the Water
Flowers absorb a lot of water the first day they’re in a vase, so check the water level and replenish it as needed. After a few days, look to see if the water appears cloudy. If so, remove the flowers, dump out the old water, rinse the stems under running water, and cut about an inch off the bottom. Be sure to clean the vase and refill it with fresh water and flower food!
4) Feed Your Flowers
Many floral bouquets come with food. Be sure to mix the food with the water where you place the flowers. If you did not get a food packet with your flowers, there are ways you can feed them with the ingredients you already have in your kitchen!
Try adding 2 Tbsp of sugar mixed with 2 Tbsp of white vinegar into the flower water to maintain fresh blooms. The sugar will help nourish the flowers and promote the opening of the blooms, while the vinegar will help inhibit the growth of bacteria and keep your flowers fresher for longer.
5) Remove Excess Foliage
Take some time to remove any extra leaves at the stem’s base before placing your flowers in the vase. Eliminating this extra foliage will decrease any bacteria in the water and help keep the water clean and free from any unpleasant odors. It also makes your bouquet look aesthetically nicer when there aren’t dead or fallen leaves floating around in the vase.
6) Place Flowers in the Perfect Area
Placing your arrangement in a shaded, cool area that receives indirect sunlight helps preserve the blooms instead of bright, direct sunlight and heat. Remember, the cooler the better, except for tropical blooms, which prefer the heat and humidity like orchids.
At Cole’s Flowers, we have beautiful and unique floral arrangements for every occasion, including the upcoming spring season! Whether you need to send a thoughtful birthday gift to a loved one far away, surprise your significant other to show your appreciation, or simply refresh your home, our bouquets are your best option.
Browse our arrangements online and contact us at (802)388-4003 to arrange a flower delivery in the Middlebury, Vermont area!
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