The delicate flowers can bring cheer to any place with their beauty and mesmerizing fragrance. They are considered the most common gifts for any of life’s occasions that leave a lasting impression on people.
Whether you have received a gorgeous bouquet on your birthday or a lovely bunch on Valentine’s Day, you’ll want to be surrounded by the floral beauties forever. Sadly, freshly cut flowers don’t last long. But there are a few tips and care instructions to ensure the longevity of your flower bouquet.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the floral beauties in your home last longer.
- It is crucial to keep your bouquet hydrated as soon as you get flowers home. Keep flowers in a vase. Make sure to wash the vase with hot water and bleach to remove any kind of bacteria that may be present in it.
- With the help of sharp scissors, trim the flower stems about one to two inches at 45-degree angle before putting them in the vase. It will allow stems to absorb more water and nutrients that will help flowers stay longer. Re-trim the stems once every few days.
- Add fresh, lukewarm water in the bouquet and put flower stems in it. Change the water in the vase regularly because if left for too long it can ruin flowers. Do not over water flowers as it may stunt their growth.
- If there are any leaves below the water line, it can cause bacterial growth and lead to a terrible smell. Prune the leaves that go below the water line in the vase. It will make flowers look fresh and prevent any sort of bacterial growth.
- Do check your flowers daily for dead or wilting leaves and remove as soon as you notice any. Some flowers have guard petals as well that include two or three outermost petals of the flowers. Getting rid of those guard petals will let your flowers open up completely.
- Offering essential nutrients to flowers go a long way in keeping them healthy. You can add 2 tablespoons of sugar or 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar in the water, which will act as a preservative and create the perfect atmosphere for cut flowers.
- You can also combine bleach, sugar, and citric acid to prepare flower food at home and let it dissolve completely in the vase. Do not overdose the flowers with flower food as that can prove to be harmful.
- Always keep the freshly cut flowers in a cool place away from direct sunlight or the appliances that generate heat. Avoid keeping them in areas like near open windows, under ceiling fans, or near heating and cooling vents as they can dehydrate flowers quickly. Your flowers will last longer if they are placed in shady spots or areas with the cool temperature.
- Never keep the freshly cut flowers near fruits. The ripening fruits release a small amount of ethylene gas that can reduce the life of fresh flowers or poison them.
- No matter how busy your schedule gets, never ever ignore the fresh flowers in your home for more than 2-3 days at a time. Trim the stems and extra leaves regularly. Always use fresh, lukewarm water to keep fresh flowers hydrated. And if you notice the water looks a little dull, then change it and replace with fresh, lukewarm water.
