We all enjoy having fresh flowers in our home or office. Flowers give us the opportunity to bring a little bit of the outdoors inside, and no matter what types or colors of flowers a bouquet includes, they are so beautiful and calming to observe. Gifts of flowers are always welcome; no one is ever disappointed when they receive a flower arrangement from a friend or family member.
Of course, we want these flowers to last as long as possible. Sadly, flowers begin dying the second they are cut from their stems, but there are several things you can do to support their longevity in your vase.
Read on to check out some great flower care tips to make your flowers last longer for your ongoing enjoyment.
1. Add Flower Food
Most cut flowers that you purchase or receive come with a packet of flower food. Some people don’t bother to add this to the water and then wonder why their flowers die after a few days. This stuff is amazing and it will keep your flowers looking beautiful for far longer.
If you grow flowers yourself and cut them to enjoy indoors, you can buy flower food in larger quantities to keep on hand. Or, you can make your own version with things you have around the house. Combine one quart of water with two tablespoons of lemon juice, one tablespoon of sugar, and half a teaspoon bleach. This odd combination of ingredients will feed the flowers while impeding the growth of fungi and bacteria.
2. Cut the Stems
Cutting the stems of any flowers you purchase or receive is a tip that many people know already, but it’s also something of which not everyone is aware, and it can make a big difference when trying to keep cut flowers fresh.
When flowers are cut, they will attempt to heal themselves. They will try to cut off the xylem at the ends of the cut stem, which can reduce the flow of water to the rest of the cutting. When you make a fresh cut, the water can flow more freely.
It’s also best to cut the stems on a diagonal to create the largest surface area possible for water absorbtion.
3. Avoid Direct Sunlight
Although flowers love and need plenty of sunshine when they are growing, direct sunlight can cause cut flowers to deteriorate more quickly. It’s best to keep them out of the sun and in a shadier part of your home if you want enjoy them for longer.
4. Remove the Leaves
Don’t forget to remove low leaves from the stems before you put the flowers in a vase, too. Deterrent of fungi and bacteria is a key feature in keeping cut flowers alive longer. If you leave the leaves on and let them sit in the water for days, fungi and bacteria will easily grow and will soon start to take over your entire arrangement.
5. Change the Water
Fresh flowers appreciate fresh water, so change the water in their vase at least daily, if not more often. If you can remember to do it several times a day, even better. Your flowers will thank you for it by remaining lively and vibrant for days or even weeks if you’re lucky.
Fresh Flowers Are One of Life’s Joys
Fresh flowers are wonderful and will brighten your day every time; they are truly one of life’s greatest and most consistent joys.
Most of us would love to have fresh flowers in vases around our home at all times. Now that you know how to make cut flowers last longer, you are one step closer to living that dream. Good luck!
Conclusion
If you’d like to send an arrangement of fresh flowers to someone you love or even to yourself! today, we offer floral ideas for every occasion. Check out our many options and get ready to make someone happy.