How to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh Longer
- Written by Carmel Issac
Everybody enjoys seeing fresh flowers. Women cherish the thought of getting a flower delivery of fresh roses or other flowers. Men, although most will not admit, also love seeing fresh flowers in their homes. However, cut flowers do not last forever, and you often have to throw them away at some point. Fortunately, there are ways to extend the freshness of cut flowers by doing the following:
How to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh Longer
It is important to keep in mind that some flower varieties last longer than others. Roses, daisies, and sunflowers, for example, tend to stay fresh longer than tulips, hyacinths, and lilacs. Nevertheless, doing these procedures can make any cut flower fresh for a longer time, especially when you get same day flower delivery services.
- Cut the stems: Once you get your flowers, you should immediately trim 1 to 2 inches off the end of each stem before placing them in water. It is best to cut the stems at an angle so that the cut portion is not resting on the bottom of the vase.
- Prune extra leaves: If you receive flowers with abundant leaves still with them, it is important to remove excess leaves, especially if these leaves will fall below the vase’s water line to prevent bacterial growth.
- Choose the right vase: Your vessel should not crowd the cut flowers. Delicate flowers should be kept in taller vases while bigger and heavier flowers should be cut short and have room to spread out.
- Change the water often: Always place your cut flowers in a clean vase with fresh water. If you add flower food to the water, make sure that this ingredient is properly and completely dissolved. You should also replace the water as often as you retrim the edge of your flowers.
- Flower food: There are pre-mixed ingredients that you can purchase from floral shops or grocery stores that are designed to keep your cut flowers fresh longer. This flower food promotes cell metabolism, prevents bacterial growth, and controls the pH levels of water for flowers.
- Vodka: If you are fond of sipping a few shots of vodka now and then, save some of that alcohol for your flowers as well. Vodka prevents the production of ethylene which makes the flowers wilt faster.
- Soda: The sugar content of soda can keep your flowers stay perky and fresh a little longer.
- Aspirin: Crushing an aspirin tablet and dissolving it in your vase water will help keep pH levels optimum for your flowers to stay fresh longer.
- Coins: The copper material of coins can help in preventing bacterial growth. Copper coins will also help your tulips to open up.
- Bleach: The main purpose of putting bleach in your vase water is to prevent bacterial growth that can quicken the wilting of your flowers. Experts suggest mixing ¼ teaspoon of bleach for every litre of water.
- Refrigerate: If you go to shops that provide same day flower delivery service, you will notice that their flowers are kept inside a refrigerator. Refrigeration keeps flowers fresh longer. If you want to have your flowers stay fresh for weeks, remember to put them inside a fridge every night.
The procedures mentioned above are all designed to prevent bacterial growth, control the pH level of water, and to provide nutrients for cut flowers to keep them fresh for longer periods. Doing these steps may give you a long time to appreciate the flowers that you received.
