Sep
Having flowers around our atmosphere could be an instant mood booster. However, most fresh cut flowers typically do not last that long. If you’re looking to make it last longer than usual, there are several ways to do so. Here are the top 10 fresh cut flowers care tips:
Top 10 Fresh Cut Flowers Care Tips
1. Choose a suitable vase or container
Though it might seem easy to pick a vase or container, choosing the right one makes a whole lot of difference. If you’re not sure what we mean, for flowers that are heavier or bigger than usual, it has to be placed in a low vase after the stems are cut short to allow more room for them to open up. The flowers that weigh less should be placed in taller vases instead.
2. Cut the stems before putting them in water
One of the golden rules would be to avoid putting them in water before cutting the stems once you receive your fresh cut flowers. This is because it helps to protect against any potential infections or from drying out.
But don’t cut it in a straight line! Be sure to cut it at a 45-degree angle. That way, it increases the water intake and allows greater absorption.
3. Replace the water frequently
This would be a no-brainer. If you let your flowers sit in dirty water for a long time, bacteria will build up quickly. Even if your flowers haven’t fully absorbed the water in your vase, it’s best to replace them to last longer.
4. Remove any dead or wilted flowers
Once you spot any flowers that are wilted, you have to pluck them out immediately because these flowers release a gas called ethylene which might affect your non-wilted flowers. If you don’t want to straight away throw them in the bin, you can opt to try your hand and turn them into dried flowers instead.
5. Don’t place it directly under sunlight
Contrary to popular belief, it’s common especially for beginners to think that flowers need to have direct sunlight glaring on them. However, flowers tend to dry out quickly and wither much faster because it increases the rate of evaporation.
6. Make use of flower food
Ready-made flower food packets are packed with all the nutrients flowers need. For instance, the three main ingredients found in the flower food packets would be acidifiers, biocides (cleansing agents) and carbohydrates (sugars). These ingredients help to increase water intake, prevent bacteria and increase the metabolism rate of the cells.
Here’s another great tip: if you don’t want to purchase a ready-made flower food packet, you could simply DIY one yourself! All you need to do is add a spoonful of sugar into the water and voila – your flowers will receive an instant perk-me-up to stay fresh longer!
7. Make use of household remedies
Many flower enthusiasts would opt for flower food or experimenting with different ways to keep their flowers fresh longer.
There are plenty of ways to keep it fresh with several household remedies. For example, below are a few of the common household ingredients you can use:
- Vodka – It’s not just for you to have a good time! When you add a little Vodka into the water, it helps to decrease the amount of ethylene produced, which helps to prevent your flowers from wilting too quickly.
- Aspirin – Aside from preventing headaches, aspirin works wonders for daisies by reducing the pH level.
- Soda – When you use soda such as Sprite or 7-Up in the water, it will reduce the pH level of the water which allows flowers to take in even more nutrients from the sugar found in the soda.
8. Place your flowers away from fruits
Similar to wilted flowers that release ethylene, fruits tend to radiate this particular gas as well which makes it wilt faster. Therefore, it is important to store your flowers in a place where fruits are not in sight.
9. Place your flowers in fresh tap water
The best type of water to use for your flowers would be fresh tap water. However, certain flowers such as Peace Lily may need to use filtered water to maintain their freshness longer.
10. Choose the right flowers
Not all fresh flowers are made to last! Certain flowers such as tulips tend to wilt quicker than others. If you want your fresh cut flowers to last, you should opt for orchids or lilies, to name a few.
Care Tips For Different Types of Fresh Cut Flowers
There are certain ways to take care of different types of fresh cut flowers. We listed down some of the common types of flowers and how to take care of them to make them last longer:
Tulips
For tulips, try to add on fresh cold water every few days. Besides that, you should also change the water entirely to prevent bacteria from building up and keep it fresh. Trim around 1 inch of the stems at the bottom to enable even more water intake every other day.
Roses
Once you receive your gorgeous roses, place them in a cool place. Avoid directly near the windows as it could dehydrate easily. As for taking care of the rose petals, you have to lean them against stems that are sturdier to prevent them from wilting. Aside from that, once you notice the rose petals getting a little brown, make sure to remove them so that your other roses won’t get affected.
Image credit: unsplash.com
Lilies
The petals of lilies tend to get bruised quite easily, so they will come in bud form when delivered. That way, it’ll prolong the life span too. One thing to take note of is that lilies are particularly toxic to animals, mainly, dogs or cats.
Carnations
If you have fresh carnations, it would be best to keep them away from vegetables and fruits which release ethylene as they are quite sensitive to it. Now that you know how to take good care of your fresh cut flowers and prolong the lifespan, why not head over to our collection of gorgeous bouquets? Each of our fresh cut flowers is carefully sourced, imported and are of premium quality. Surprise a loved one today or give yourself some self-love by getting one for your home or office!
