Fresh flowers add beauty, fragrance, and warmth to any space they enter, whether in a home or office setting. Whether you receive bouquets as gifts, purchase them yourself, or have flowers delivered for special events, knowing how best to care for them will extend their beauty for as long as possible!
Have you recently purchased beautiful blooms from a Merrylands florist? Follow these essential care instructions to preserve and enjoy them for as long as possible!
1. Trim Stems For Improved Water Absorption
One key step of flower care involves trimming stems before placing them in a vase. Use clean, sharp scissors or knives to cut approximately 1-2 centimetres off at a 45-degree angle so water absorption surfaces increase and stems don’t settle at the bottom of the vase, giving each flower access to essential hydration.
To achieve optimal results, tightly trim the stems every two days to maintain healthy foliage growth and remove any dry or damaged ends. Use clean tools with sharp tips to avoid crushing the stems.
2. Remove Any Leaves Below The Waterline
Leaves submerged in water can quickly decay, leading to bacteria growth that shortens your flowers’ lifespan. Before placing them into a vase, be sure to remove any leaves that might lie below the waterline. This will help keep the environment cleaner for longer and prevent unpleasant odours from developing in your vase.
3. Supply Clean, Fresh Water
Keeping flowers healthy requires providing clean, fresh water at room temperature in an appropriate vase every two days to prevent bacteria build-up.
To increase longevity, use filtered or distilled water when possible for best results. Be sure to clean and rinse out your vase carefully after each soap-and-rinse cycle with soapy water and rinse again. Don’t forget flower food (provided by Merrylands florist) to feed and nourish blooms as much as possible!
4. Supplement Your Flowers’ Health With Preservatives, Both Naturally And Store-Bought
Most florists provide small packets of flower food to extend the lifespan of bouquets. These food packets provide essential nutrients that prevent bacterial growth while simultaneously feeding flowers with nourishment.
Should you not have store-bought floral food, you may create your own using the following:
- One teaspoon sugar (food-wise)
- ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar or bleach to stop the formation of germs.
- A few drops of lemon juice maintain pH equilibrium.
Add this mixture every time you change out the water in your vase.
5. Revive Wilting Flowers Quickly With An Effective Revival Solution
Even with proper care, some flowers may begin to wither early. If this happens to yours, and its petals or stems begin to droop or die off, try this quick fix to revive them:
- Trim stems again and submerge them in warm water for 30 minutes
- Place back into your vase with fresh, cool water.
- Misting delicate flowers (such as roses and lilies) with water periodically to maintain healthy petals.
This method can restore flowers that have started to lose their vigour.
6. Keep Fruits That Produce Ethylene Away From Flowers
Did you know that certain fruits produce ethylene gas that accelerates flower wilt? Bananas, apples and pears all emit this gas, which speeds up their wilting processes – to prolong your bouquet’s longevity, avoid fruit bowls as much as possible!
7. Handle Delicate Blooms With Care
Some fragile flowers, such as tulips, lilies, and orchids, require additional care. Remove the anthers (the portion that produces pollen) from lilies and other pollen-heavy flowers to stop staining and lessen early wilting.
For delicate flowers: Steer clear of petal handling that is too frequent.
- Mist them gently with water to maintain hydration.
- Support drooping stems with florist wire as required.
Conclusion
Flowers make an elegant and thoughtful present that can brighten any environment, yet their longevity depends on proper care. By trimming stems regularly and providing them with fresh water and appropriate conditions, as well as using flower food products, their beauty can extend its beauty for an extended period and be enjoyed more fully.
Once you receive a bouquet from a Merrylands florist, follow these simple care guidelines to keep it looking its best and extend its longevity in your home for days or weeks. With proper attention, floral arrangements from Merrylands florists can bring joy and elegance into the heart of every room in your house!