Tips To Make Your Bouquets Last
Flowers are one of the meaningful gifts and liveliest decorations for nearly any occasion, all year ’round. Even homes and offices use them for decorations to make the place livelier and more comfortable. These gifts of nature look and smell amazing, which makes them so great. They have bright colours, unique shapes, and they have the most wonderful scents only nature can provide.
The only problem? Fresh flowers don’t stay fresh for long especially if you don’t take care of them well. Not all of us are florists and gardeners, but here are some surefire ways to make floral arrangements you receive last a little longer:
- If you receive flowers that aren’t in water, act as fast as you can. Drench them in water, or preferably in floral foam or flower food solution. These can be provided by your florist.
- If the floral foam solution turns cloudy, replace it entirely. Same goes for those who are using just water; replacing it daily with fresh water is a must.
- If flower food is unavailable, you can make your own makeshift flower freshener. Just add a teaspoon of bleach, a tablespoon of sugar, and a gallon of water. Mix well and you have flower food. Some gardening experts even say you can pour a 12-ounce can of non-diet Sprite or 7-Up in half a gallon of water The acid in the soda will slow down growth of bacteria in the water, while the sugar will feed the flowers.
- Re-cut stems using a cutting tool that will not crush the stems such as a sharp knife, pruning shears, or even a good pair of scissors. Cut the stems underwater to allow more water absorption instead of air. A 45-degree angle stem cut will also improve the plants’ liquid absorption.
- Some flowers will last longer than others in the arrangement. Once they wilt, take them out of the arrangement.
- Remove any leaves that go below the vase’s waterline, because leaves in water tend to promote bacterial growth.
- Remember to place your flower arrangement in a cool, dry spot, away from heat. About 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit is the recommended temperature for flowers, away from heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, on top of televisions or radiators, and away from direct sunlight. Failing to do so will cause your flowers to dehydrate and make them wilt prematurely.