There’re a lot of tips and tricks to keep your flowers fresh, from choosing a good vase to tossing a penny into the water. However, following only one way is not the best idea if you want to help your blooms last longer.
Diana, an expert from Flowwow, a marketplace for local brands and businesses, shares seven unusual tips to keep your bouquets fresh.
Tip #1: Let flowers get used to the temperature of the apartment
When you bring a bouquet inside, you should follow the next steps: allow the flowers to get used to the warmth of the house – it is better to leave them on a glazed balcony first and move them to the room 20-30 minutes later. Also, do not remove the packaging straight away: it actually helps the bouquet to gradually adapt to the microclimate of the room.
Tip #2: Prepare the bouquet before putting it in a vase
Freshly bought flowers should be cut by 1-2 cm at an angle of 45 degrees; if cut in a straight line, the buds won’t receive enough moisture. Ideally, do this under the water to prevent the air from entering the stem and blocking the way. It is also extremely important to use a sharp knife so as not to crease or injure the stems.
Tip #3: Pick a suitable vase
Choose a vase that is appropriate in height and width for your new bouquet. Fill it with cool water (preferably let it stand for a couple of hours, too) – enough to cover the ends of the stems, but without touching the leaves: this will prevent said leaves from wilting and rotting.
Tip #4: Choose the best neighbours for your bouquet
It so happens sometimes that there are more bouquets than vases in the house — then we place several bouquets together until we find another suitable vessel. This is not always a good solution.
For example, it is a big mistake to put bulbous and stem flowers together: the former exude poisons, harmful to the latter. Even after separating them into different vases, you’ll most likely notice the effects of the poisoning take place. Some of the most common bulbous flowers are tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, irises, and gladioli. If you have doubts about the type of flowers in front of you, it’s better not to take the risk.
Tip #5: Pay special attention to the place for the bouquet
Let’s rewind: the flowers got acclimated, had a trim and were put in a fitting vase. What’s next? We need to find a suitable area for them: put the vase in a cool place away from any heaters and direct sunlight.
Tip #6: Take care of cut flowers as if they were live
To make the bouquet last for a long time, be ready for a maintaining routine. The most important thing is to change the water daily, rinsing the stems and the vase itself to prevent the appearance of bacteria and plaque. Withered flowers should be removed immediately to prolong the bouquet’s life.
Don’t forget to refresh the cut every two days. Finally, do not neglect flower food — if you don’t have a special solution that often comes with a bouquet, you can use aspirin, sugar as well as salicylic or citric acid. Some florists advise throwing average copper coins into a vase: copper acts as an oxidizer and slows down the spread of harmful microorganisms.
Tip #7: Keep an eye on what (and who) is next to the flowers
Surprisingly, flowers don’t get along with fruits, especially apples. Fruits that come from the trees, even plucked, emit enzymes that accelerate the wilting of cut flowers. Also, a cat gnawing on buds most certainly won’t become your bouquet’s best friend.It may seem that there are a lot of rules and it is not so easy to take them all in, but it is worth creating a habit out of these: then, each bouquet will keep bringing joy to the household for a long time. Flowers on any important occasion are a great way to test out our recommendations and ensure a long life for gifts from our beloved children, husbands and friends.
Flowwow is a full-service marketplace that connects customers with local brands and businesses. Buyers can find items in the categories of flowers and gifts, pastry, clothing and accessories, jewellery, craft supplies, and more – all with fast delivery.