Flower bouquets are frequently given as gifts for special occasions, such as anniversaries and graduations. Most recipients will want to keep flowers alive long after the event has passed. There are a variety of flower bouquet care techniques that are easy to understand, even if you don’t have a green thumb.
Whether you are sending out or receiving vibrant blooms, it is essential to know how to care for a bouquet of flowers so you can extend its life. Here are some tips on keeping your flowers fresh and gorgeous.
How To Care For A Bouquet of Flowers in 10 Ways
1. Trim the stems at a 45-degree angle.
Cut the stems diagonally so that your flowers don’t stay flat and can still take in water from the vase. If you don’t have any gardening shears, knives work better than scissors. Trim your flowers again every other day to prevent the stems from closing up.
2. Keep your vase clean and sanitized.
Flowers thrive in a clean environment. Bacteria from other flowers or from storage can build up quickly in an unwashed vase. Be sure to clean thoroughly with soap and water before placing your fresh flowers inside. This flower bouquet care tip is highly essential and shouldn’t be forgotten.
3. Add flower food to your water.
Nourish your flowers with homemade or store-bought flower food. Florists usually include a small packet upon purchasing flower bouquets. Some essential components are sugar, citric acid, and bleach. This combination helps fight off bacteria, promote better water circulation, and keep your flowers vibrant. You only need to add a small amount of flower food every time you change the water.
You can also make flower food using ingredients you already have at home. Some of the best alternatives for flower bouquet care are:
- Apple Cider Vinegar and Sugar
- Bleach (¼ teaspoon)
- Copper coins
- Soda
4. Remove wilting flowers and loose leaves.
Pruning your flowers makes your bouquet look more lively. Check every few days for wilting flowers and remove them immediately. Leaving a rotten flower in can cause the spread of bacteria to your entire bouquet. Remove leaves that go below the water line as well; this can also cause bacteria to your flowers.
5. Change to fresh water daily.
There are three ways you can tell if you need to change the vase’ water: a cloudy or murky look, an unpleasant odor, and buildup of slime. But you don’t have to wait until you see the signs to take action. Change water every 2-3 days to prevent bacterial growth. Make sure to add a portion of flower food and trim the stems every change.
6. Adjust the water temperature.
Controlling the water temperature is another effective tip on how to care for a flower bouquet. Generally, cut flowers do well in room-temperature or warm water, while flower bulbs like daffodils, lilies, and tulips stay fresh in slightly cooler water. Hot water is a big no-no for flowers because it damages the stem tissues faster and cultivates bacteria.
7. Spray some water on the petals.
Although flowers typically take in water from their stems, their petals can get thirsty, too. Flowers like hydrangeas ‘drink’ from their petals, so keep a spray bottle handy and spritz some fresh water on your petals throughout the day.
8. Wrap stems in a damp towel.
A tip on how to care for a bouquet of flowers during transport is to wrap the stems in a damp towel or tissue paper. This prevents the flowers from drying out too quickly and prolongs its freshness until you are able to transfer it into a vase. This technique is also used by same-day flower delivery services.
9. Keep away from direct sunlight and fruits.
Contrary to growing flowers, cut flowers shouldn’t be exposed to direct, intense sunlight. Instead, filter the sunlight through sheer curtains or blinds in the area where you will be placing your flower bouquet.
Don’t store your flowers close to fruits like apples, bananas, pears, peaches, and tomatoes. These fruits produce high levels of ethylene during ripening, which can quickly damage nearby flowers.
10. Refrigerate your flowers.
Storing your flowers in a cool environment, such as a refrigerator, can prolong their life. Be sure to trim your stems, prune your flowers, and remove any fruits and vegetables from your fridge before placing them inside. Again, fruits, vegetables, and other items might contain bacteria or release ethylene gas that can shorten the lifespan of your flowers.
Keeping the flowers you received for longer means you can also preserve the memories associated with them. Apply these flower bouquet care techniques to create cheerful arrangements for your home display, as gifts for your loved ones, and more.
ALSO READ: 8 Flower Arrangement Hacks that Will Amaze You
Want to order long-lasting flowers? Flower Patch Shop offers a wide variety of flower bouquets and flower arrangements for you to choose from. We have bright and colorful roses, tulips, lilies, gerberas, sunflowers, and many more. Create a precious bouquet for any occasion and avail of our free same-day flower delivery to any point in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
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