Flower Care: Tips & Tricks
The lifespan of flower arrangements can vary significantly depending on how they are cared for (to be honest, same). We’ve all had the disappointing experience of grabbing a bouquet that looks perfect only to have it wilted and shriveled overnight. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life. With best practices your arrangement can live from a week and half to two weeks! While most of our tips are universal to all fresh-cut flowers, each type of arrangement have some of their own, unique needs. Here are some of our best recommendations:
Cut Flowers/Bouquet without a Vase
Depending on what you’ve chosen or received you may have a collection of cut flowers or a tied bouquet without a vase. Congratulations you get to go wild with your own glassware! Here’s where we’d start:
- Clean your vase very thoroughly with hot water and soap
- Fill with cool/room temperature water – the addition of flower food is optional assuming you follow the next steps
- Place your arrangement away from sunlight, heat, & fruit; the ethylene gas will "ripen" them and cause them to wilt more quickly
- Using a clean, sharp knife or garden clippers, cut the very end of your stems at a 45 degree angle and gently put your flowers in the vase or vessel of your choice (we won’t judge you for using a drinking glass)
- Change the water and clip the very ends of your stems daily
- Enjoy!
Bouquet in a Vase
Someone in your life (or you, self-care!) has given you an arrangement in a vase. You don’t need to worry about arranging the flowers or digging through your cabinets for a suitably sized container so you’re already ahead of the game. Almost all of tips from the previous section all apply to you too.
- Most likely your bouquet has been tied by us, your florists, in a perfect shape for you to enjoy. But you can also untie it and arrange it again to suit your vase
- Place your arrangement away from sunlight, heat, & fruit; the ethylene gas will "ripen" them and cause them to wilt more quickly
- Remove the flowers from their vase each day and change the water, adding flower food if you like
- When you change the water also give the stems a trim using a clean, sharp knife or garden clippers, cut the very end of your stems at a 45 degree angle and gently return
- ·Enjoy!
Arrangement in Foam
You are in possession of flowers in foam meaning you have an arrangement that is large and elegant. Maybe you’re having an event or perhaps you’re the party!
- Foam arrangements need A LOT of water. You have many thirsty flowers all drinking from the same small piece of foam – water your arrangement every day, perhaps even twice per day if your home is especially hot or dry
- Place your arrangement away from sunlight, heat & fruit; the ethylene gas can "ripen" the flowers
- Unlike with the other floral options you will not be changing water or clipping stems – just water your arrangement, sit back and take in the view.
