Tips For Extending The Life Of Cut Flowers

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As beautiful as fresh florals are, they can be quite delicate and don’t last very long. However, there are ways to extend their lifespan and enjoy them for longer periods. In this blog, we will discuss different methods to extend the life of fresh flowers using various techniques.

Fresh Cut Flowers-The Best Blooms

Longer Lifespan

When you choose the best blooms for your floral arrangement, you are selecting flowers that are fresh, healthy, and at the peak of their bloom. This can help prolong the lifespan of your arrangement and ensure that it looks beautiful for as long as possible.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Choosing the best blooms for your arrangement can help create a visually stunning display. Flowers in the same color family or complementary hues can make the arrangement look cohesive and elegant.

Better Fragrance

Specific blooms have a more intense and pleasant scent than others. Therefore, choosing the best blooms for your arrangement can help ensure that the flowers you select have a fragrance that complements the overall aesthetic of the display.

Choose A Vase

Vases are timeless decorative and functional objects that add elegance and style to any room. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece for your living room or a minimalist accent for your office, vases come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials to suit your needs.

Choosing the right vase for your fresh-cut flowers can help enhance the beauty and longevity of the arrangement. Here are some elements to consider when selecting a vase:

Size and Shape

Choose a vase that is appropriate in size and shape for the flowers you are arranging. The vase should be tall enough to support the stems and wide enough to allow the flowers to spread out naturally.

Material

Vases can be made of glass, ceramic, metal, or other materials. Glass vases are popular as they allow you to see the stems and water levels. In contrast, ceramic and metal vases can add a decorative touch.

Color

Consider the color of the vase to the color of the flowers. A clear vase can work well with any color scheme, while a colored vase can complement or contrast with the colors of the flowers.

Mouth Width

The width of the vase’s mouth should be appropriate for the type of flowers you are arranging. For example, a narrow mouth can help support the stems of tall, thin flowers like lilies, while a wider mouth can accommodate more full blooms like roses.

Texture and Pattern

Textured or patterned vases can add interest and depth to an arrangement. Consider a vase with a unique design or texture to add visual appeal to your display.

Stability

The vase should be sturdy and stable enough to support the weight of the flowers and water. A top-heavy vase can tip over and damage the flowers.

By considering these elements, you can choose a vase that complements your fresh-cut flowers and helps to create a beautiful and cohesive display.

Clean The Vase And Add Water

Choose a vase suitable for arranging your bouquet, and clean it well. Fill about 3/4 of its length with water. Ensure the soap is completely removed before filling the container, and rinse the excess soap off your hands. Soap residue can shorten the half-life of fresh flowers.

Here’s a collection of vases we put together that includes everything from traditional ceramic designs to modern glass pieces. Vase Collection.

Cold Water

The simplest and most effective way to extend the life of fresh flowers is by placing them in cold water. Floral stems may have little air pockets that prevent water absorption. Colder water may help “shock” the stems and allow more water to disperse through them. This helps slow the aging process and keeps the flowers looking fresh for longer. Fill a vase with cold water and place the flowers in it. You can even add some ice cubes to the water to keep it extra cold. Bulb florals like crocus, daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths prefer cold water.

Hot Water Benefits for Hydrangeas, Dahlias, and Viburnums

Hot water has bacteriocidal effects that lengthen the life of fresh florals and aid in water absorption of florals such as Hydrangeas, Dahlias, and Vibrunums. Hydrangeas are mainly known for their delicate petals, which can wilt quickly if not cared for properly. One way to keep them looking fresh is by placing their stems in hot water for a few minutes before transferring them to cold water. This helps open up the branches’ pores and allows them to absorb more water.

Submerging The Blossoms of Flowers

Another technique to extend fresh flowers’ life is, submerging the blossoms in water. This is particularly useful for flowers with delicate petals such as lilies, roses, and peonies. Fill a shallow bowl with water and submerge the flowers, ensuring the blossoms are entirely covered with water. Leave them submerged for a few hours, then transfer them to a vase filled with fresh water.

Flower or Plant Food: Adding Salt, Bleach, Citrus, or Sugar To The Water

Several household items can be added to the vase water to extend the life of fresh flowers. Adding a teaspoon of salt to the water helps to prevent bacterial growth while adding a teaspoon of bleach helps to kill any bacteria already present in the water. Adding a few drops of citrus juice to the water helps lower the pH level, which benefits flowers such as roses and daisies. Adding two tablespoons of Vinegar combined with two tablespoons of sugar effectively conserves fresh blossoms. Sugar will support flowers and increase openness; vinegar will stop the bacteria and keep them fresh longer. Finally, adding a teaspoon of sugar to the water gives the flowers extra nutrients and energy.

Remove Wilting Flowers

As soon as you notice a flower starting to wilt or droop, remove it from the vase. Wilted flowers can release bacteria that can cause the other flowers to deteriorate more quickly. By doing this, your flowers stay fresh longer.

Cut The Stems And Remove Extra Leaves

Before arranging the flowers in a vase, trim the stems at a 45-degree angle with a sharp, clean pair of scissors. This allows the flowers to take in more water and nutrients.

Before placing cut flowers in a vase, remove any additional leaves from the stems if they are likely to be set below the vase’s water line. Eliminating the leaves reduces water pollution, reducing bacteria and making the water cleaner with no foul smell. In addition, it allows blooms to concentrate on flowers and helps them stay fresher. Pruning fresh flowers and removing leaves is a recurrent task every 3 days to maintain beautiful blooms.

Changing Vase Water and Cutting Floral Stems Every 3 Days

Finally, it is essential to change the vase water and trim the stems of the flowers every three days. This helps to prevent bacterial growth and keeps the flowers hydrated. When cutting the stems, use sharp scissors or a knife and cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. This helps to create a larger surface area for the flowers to absorb water.

Keep The flowers Away From Heat And Direct Sunlight.

Fresh flowers don’t like heat, so keep them away from direct sunlight, heating vents, and other heat sources.

Heat can cause the water in the vase to evaporate more quickly, leading to the flowers’ dehydration. Direct sunlight can also cause the flowers to lose moisture, and the UV rays can break down the pigments in the petals, causing the colors to fade.

Additionally, some flowers are more sensitive to heat and sunlight than others. For example, delicate blooms like roses and lilies are more susceptible to heat damage and can wilt quickly if exposed to direct sunlight.

To keep your flowers fresh and beautiful for as long as possible, it’s best to keep them in a cool, shaded area away from direct heat and sunlight. This can help ensure the flowers stay hydrated and their colors remain vibrant.

Several techniques can be used to extend the life of fresh flowers. You can use cold or hot water for hydrangeas, submerge the blossoms, add salt, bleach, citrus, or sugar to the water, and change and cut floral stems every three days. Enjoy your fresh flowers for extended periods. Try these techniques the next time you have fresh flowers in your home, and see the difference it makes.