CUT FLOWER CARE TIPS
How To Get Your Cut Flowers To Last Longer
There's nothing quite like a farm fresh bouquet of flowers. From the gorgeous scents, to the textures and foliage, having a display of cut flowers can brighten your space and be an instant mood booster.
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Below are some simple tips on how to care for your cut flowers so you can enjoy your beautiful blooms for a bit longer.
Before placing your flowers in a vase, cut off 1-2cm from the bottom of the stems diagonally. This will allow the flowers to better absorb the water.
Remove any foliage that is in the water of the vase. This will help prevent any bacterial growth.
Every 2-3 days, replace the water with clean water, remove any dead flower heads or stems, and trim off another 1-2cm from the base of the stems.
Place your cut flowers somewhere where they won’t receive direct sunlight, heat or draughts. And if possible, don’t place them next to your fruit bowl as fruit can release ethane gas which will shorten your bouquet’s lifespan.
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Easy Homemade Flower Food
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Making homemade flower food is a great way of preserving the life of your cut flowers. You’ll need the following:
1 litre water
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
3-5 drops of household bleach
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Stir the mixture thoroughly and then place the necessary amount in your vase.
When Your Flowers Begin To Fade
Of course, there will come a point when your blooms will begin to droop. But take heart - all is not yet lost! Did you know there’s a simple way to bring some life back to your cut flowers, even when they begin to look a bit on the tired side?
It’s a process called scalding. And it’s not as dramatic as it sounds!
Simply remove your flowers from the vase and replace the water with clean water. Set the vase aside.
Place some boiling water in a heat proof container.
Trim the base of the stems and then place about 2cm of the stem in the hot water for 30 seconds.
Immediately place the stem back into your vase of clean water.
This scalding process will allow your stems to absorb more water and help your flowers to perk right up.
