Top tips for caring for your flowers

Cut Flowers

When your loved ones give you a bunch of flowers, or when you buy some cut flowers from a florist, no doubt you want them to last for as long as possible. Here are a few tips to help prolong the life of cut flowers

1. Clean the vase with hot soapy water and some household bleach to eliminate bacteria and fungi. Rinse thoroughly.

2. Remove lower leaves from the stems so none will be in the water. Rotting foliage encourages bacterial growth in the water and shortens the life of your flowers.

3. Re-cut the stems at an angle of about 45 degrees with a sharp knife or scissors, removing about 1 – 2 inches. Do this under water (in the sink, or just hold the stems under a running tap). Professional florists advise that you do not hammer or crush the stem ends as this only destroys cell structure and inhibits their ability to take up water.

4. Place flowers in warm (not hot) water if you want them to open more quickly.

5. Mix some flower food into the water. This may be provided by your florist, or you can make some yourself easily and cheaply (see recipe below).

6. Keep your flowers cool. The higher the temperature, the faster the flowers lose water and deteriorate. A tip from professional florists is to cut the flowers in the morning, when the temperature is cooler. Don’t put flowers in warm locations such as in direct sun, near TV sets, radiators or fireplaces.

7. Another advice from florists is to keep flowers away from fruit. Fruit releases a gas called ethylene which quickens the flowering process and shortens the vase life of your flowers.

8. Every other day, re-cut stems another half inch, check water level and top up with flower food if necessary. If the water is cloudy replace the entire vase with fresh solution. Remove any foliage below the water line.

9. Remove flowers as they fade. With some varieties this will encourage other buds to open.

Follow these tips from professional florists and you will enjoy your cut flowers for 5 to 7 days. If you have a specific question about your flowers, contact your florist immediately. A professional florist will be able to offer advice and address any problem promptly.

Flower food recipe:

Two pints of warm water

One tablespoon of sugar

A few drops of household bleach

Mix together until the sugar is dissolved

 

To make a vase like the one pictured, click here.