How to Make your Cut Flowers Last Longer
So you’ve received a gorgeous gift bouquet or treated yourself to some beautiful blooms. Naturally you want these looking their best as long as possible, right? I’m going to share some top tips to make sure you get the most out of your blooms!
When you get a bouquet from The Petal Emporium, your gift bouquet arrives gift wrapped, tied with twine ready to pop in the vase. You can leave the string secured there, to keep the shape and design of the bouquet, or you can cut it and arrange the blooms yourself!
Tips for prolonging the life of your flowers
Prepare your vase
Get your container ready for your blooms. If you’re choosing a vase make sure it’s the perfect size for your bouquet for a beautiful display - not too tight or too wide at the top. Ensure the vase is SUPER clean! Any bacteria left from a previous bouquet will affect the life of your new flowers. Once clean, fill with with fresh water and add the flower food sachet if you have one.
Remove leaves that will touch the water
Preparation of your bouquet is key. Any leaves touching the water will decompose very quickly, turning slimey and yucky - filling the water with bacteria. No thanks, take them off before you put them in your vase.
Cut the stems
As soon as your blooms are out of water, their cut bottoms start to dry up. Putting them in water expecting them to drink is like asking you to breath with your nose and mouth covered. Cut a couple of cm’s off the bottom with clean sharp scissors and get them straight into the water.
Cut on an angle!
Super important. If you cut the stem in a flat line then it sits on the bottom of a vase it’s not going to be able to take up much water. A 45 degree angle is perfect, much more space for your precious blooms to drink up!
Keep cool
Keep your blooms away from direct sun, hot rooms or radiators. Window sills are not ideal! If this goes against where you want them displayed - opt to put them somewhere else while that window or area is in direct sunlight, or while your radiators are on, and keep them somewhere cool. Then move them to your display location afterwards.
Change the water
Top water up if it starts to get low, and change entirely every couple of days. Be sure to cut the stems on an angle each time too. This ensures you’re not allowing bacteria to take hold in the water. And the fresh cut means that they can continue to take water up optimally.
Keep away from your fruit bowl
Did you know fruit and veggies release a gas that kills flowers faster? Keep away from a fruits and vegetables in your kitchen to give them their best chance!
Remove dead stems
Some flowers naturally have a shorter vase life than others - that’s okay! For example Peonies won’t last as long as Alstromeria. There’s no need to get rid of the whole bunch when one flower dies. Pluck out the individual stems that wilt, or individual flowers of long stems with multiple blooms. And change the water if any petals have dropped in! Or just change it anyway if it’s been a couple of days.
Caring for your gift bouquet
Your gift bouquet is really worth caring for and I promise your blooms will reward you for your efforts. A neglected bouquet will wilt and sadden much faster than a cared for bunch! Follow the above tips and you’ll give your flowers the best time.
Gift bouquets Bristol
Now that you have some extra tricks up your sleeve for ensuring the longevity of your bouquets, try one out yourself! If you’re looking to spoil yourself or someone special, take a look at The Petal Emporium online shop for the latest goodies. Fresh Flowers are delivered throughout Bristol and the South West each week.
Photography: Suzi Bird Photography