Bringing a vibrant bouquet into your home is not just about instant beauty; these flowers can maintain their freshness and continue to brighten your space with proper care. Using simple, scientifically proven methods you can increase the vitality and appearance of your cut flowers. This way you can ensure that your flower arrangements look fresh for longer.
Selecting robust varieties
Several factors determine the quality of cut flowers, including temperature, humidity, ethylene levels and microbial activity. However, selecting robust varieties will ensure that your bouquet remains visually appealing for longer and provides greater value for your investment. Flowers such as carnations and chrysanthemums naturally have longer lifespans due to their stronger structures and slower aging processes, making them more resistant to typical environmental stresses than more delicate varieties. These flowers can have a vase life of up to three weeks:
- Chrysanthemum
- Carnation
- Alstroemeria
- Orchid
- Freesia
- Lily
- Ranunculus
- Zinnia
- Gladiolus
Remove lower leaves
Once you get home with your bouquet, the first step is to prepare it for vase life. Remove any leaves that would be below the water line in your vase. Leaves in the water can rot quickly, leading to bacterial growth that can block the stems and reduce water absorption, causing the flowers to wilt prematurely.
Cut stems
To maintain the fresh appearance of your flowers, start by properly cutting the stems to ensure optimal water absorption. Use sharp, sterilized scissors or a knife to make a clean cut at a 45 degree angle about an inch from the bottom of each stem. This angled cut increases the surface area for water absorption and prevents the ends from resting flat on the bottom of the vase, which can hinder water absorption.
Preventing air bubbles
It is crucial to avoid air pockets that can block the flow of water through the stem. Immediately place the stems in water after cutting. For plants such as poinsettias and poppies that emit emissions milky juiceHeat the cut ends briefly with a flame or dip them in boiling water to seal in the sap and ensure that the stem remains free for water absorption.
DIY plant food
Commercial plant foods are formulated to acidify the water, provide nutrients and prevent microbial growth. But you don’t have to rely on these products; you can create a simple, homemade solution. Mix 1 teaspoon of sugar, a few drops of bleach and 2 drops of lemon juice or vinegar in each liter of vase water to keep the water fresh and provide the necessary carbohydrates and an acidic environment.
Regular water changes
To keep your flowers fresh, it is important to change the water in the vase every two days. This step helps prevent bacteria from building up, which can cause the flowers to wilt more quickly. When changing the water, use lukewarm water. This allows the stems to absorb water better, keeping your flowers beautiful for longer.
Place
To ensure the longevity of your flowers, store them in a cool place, protected from drafts and direct sunlight. The cooler temperature makes the flowers last longer, so it is ideal to place them in an area of ​​your home that remains consistently cool throughout the day. Additionally, make sure you don’t place your bouquet near any fruits or vegetables in the kitchen, as this is the case ethylene gas emitted by this food can damage the flowers.
Other things to know
How do you bring flowers that are starting to wither back to life?
If the flowers start to wilt, cut the stems again, change the water and add fresh plant food. Sometimes simply re-cutting the stems and providing fresh water can revive flowers that have begun to droop.
Are pennies good for flowers?
Adding a pre-1982 penny to your flower vase can be helpful because of its high copper content, which has antibacterial properties. This copper acts as a fungicide and helps prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi, keeping flowers fresh longer. Although it helps keep the water clean, it does not directly ensure that flowers such as tulips bloom faster.
Does sugar make flowers last longer?
Adding sugar to vase water can extend the life of cut flowers by providing essential nutrients and mimicking their natural environment. Although sugar nourishes the flowers, it can also promote the growth of bacteria, potentially shortening their lifespan unless counteracted with antibacterial agents such as vinegar or commercial preservatives.
