Top Tips for caring for cut flowers
- Clean your vase thoroughly as any residual bacteria will make your flowers wilt faster
- Fill the vase two-thirds with fresh, lukewarm water and add flower food. Rather than changing the water completely each day, simply top up the water the day after receiving your flowers as this will mean tha they benefit from the food for longer
- Remove all foliage that will sit below the waterline to avoid build-up of debris. If your flowers include roses, you may notice some discoloured outer petals. These are guard petals, which protect the inner petals. Gently remove 2-3 guard petals to reveal the flower within
- Trim 2-3cm from the bottom of the stems at a 45-degree angle using a sharp knife or scissors. Varying the stem length will give your arrangement a range of heights
- After the second day change the water regularly as, flowers love clean water
- Keeping your flowers out of direct sunlight will prolong their life
- Removing wilted flowers is important , besides not looking as attractive, they can spread mould onto the others
How do I choose a vase?
Choose a vase that’s half the height of the flowers. Make sure that your vase is clean before use. Leave the vase to dry naturally, as using a towel can reintroduce bacteria which may cause your flowers to deteriorate quicker.
How much water do I add to a vase?
Fill the vase two-thirds with water – use lukewarm water as flowers can drink this more quickly. Avoid using hot or cold water as this can shock delicate flowers. Leave the filled vase to sit to allow the water to reach room temperature and let any air bubbles escape. Add the flower food which contains sugar to feed the flowers and bleach which slows the growth of algae and bacteria. Algae clogs up the stems and makes it harder for the flowers to drink.
Why should I trim my flower stems?
Flower stems dry out after they have been picked. Cut about 2-3cm from the bottom of the stems at a 45-degree angle. This stops the stems from resting on the bottom of the vase and increases the surface area of them – allowing for better water uptake. Remove any foliage that will sit below the waterline, as this will decompose quickly and increase the build up of debris in the vase. Cutting the stems with sharp scissors, and cut thick-stemmed flowers such as amaryllis with a sharp knife is the best thing to do as blunt scissors or dull instruments can crush the stems and prevent the flowers from properly absorbing water.
Cut flowers last longer in cool conditions. To prevent flowers from drying out and wilting, keep them away from drafts and heat sources. Avoid placing them where they will be exposed to direct sunlight or on top of radiators. If you place them near a window, the flowers can also quickly get damaged. Its important to keep your flowers away from the fruit bowl, especially if it contains apples. Apples and other fruit give off ethylene gas which causes flowers to deteriorate.
How do I care for my roses ?
On arrival, you may notice some outer petals look discoloured or like they are wilting. These are guard petals and they are there to protect the rose. Gently peel these away to allow your roses to bloom. A roses stem should be cut underwater. This prevents air bubbles from forming in the stem which can cause the roses to droop early. Top tip: if after a few days your roses start to droop, submerge the roses underwater and cut the stems again. Gently shake the stem to allow any air bubbles to escape.
How do I care for my tulips?
Unlike most cut flowers, tulips continue to grow throughout their vase life, and their stems can increase in length by several inches. To prevent tulips from bending, choose a vase that supports at least half of the stem length.Trim the stems regularly and rotate your vase every few days. If a tulip starts to droop, try pricking the stem just below the flower head with a pin to let out any air. Re-cut the bottom of the stem and place in a glass of water for an hour.