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How to keep flower bouquet alive


How Florists Keep Flowers Alive Longer – Green Fresh Florals + Plants

Extend the life of your flowers with these tips

It doesn't matter whether you’re growing flowers in your garden or purchasing your flowers from a flower retailer we want to help you make your flowers last. We compiled a short article detailing how florists keep flowers alive longer. These simple and easy tips will help you preserve your flowers so they last longer and extend the happiness they bring into your life and home. At Green Fresh Florals + Plants, we pride ourselves in delivering the freshest cut flowers to maximize the life of your arrangement and the joy our flowers bring into your world.

Here are the tricks we share with our customers so they can extend the life of their cut flowers. Some of you may already know and use all of these tricks; some may be new. Either way, I hope you find them helpful in keeping cut flowers alive longer.

1. Always cut the stems before placing in water

If you purchase your flowers, you should always cut the stems before putting them in water.   If you are buying an arrangement from a professional florist, they should already be cut, and your flowers will be good for a few days. However,  it’s still important to clip the stems after a few days to allow fresh water to penetrate the flower's stem. It also is helpful to replace the water every couple of days.

2. Cut back or remove the extra leaves

Before you place your cut flowers in a vase, take some time to remove any extra leaves at the base of the stem if the leaves would likely rest under the waterline of the container. Eliminating the foliage will decrease any bacteria in the water, helping keep the water clean and free of foul odors. This will also allow the focus of the bloom on the flowers, enabling them to stay fresh longer. Pruning fresh flowers and removing leaves is a regular part of our daily flower care at Green.  

3. Choose the right size vase or container

Picking the correct vase size is an essential element in the life of your cut flower arrangement. Our trained florists can help you choose the right vase or container size to ensure that the clipped stems fit nicely into the opening or mouth. If the opening is too narrow, the flower stems might look cramped or squished so either remove some of the flower stems to create a smaller bunch or find a larger vase to utilize. In the opposite direction, If the mouth of your vase is too wide, the arrangement will not have any form or shape. If you're not sure, ask one of our friendly florists to help you decide from the many options we have available online or in our Hillcrest shop. Some work best for short and stocky arrangements, while others are better for tall and showy designs. Our team can help you make the right choice.

One option that often scares beginners is using a low vase such as a cube or small bowl because it requires a significant trim to the length of the flower stems. To make the flowers fit you will need to cut the stems down which can cause some anxiety for those just learning.

If you are trying to get your flowers to open up, substitute warm water for cold water. The warm temperature will help facilitate the opening of the bloom. After they open, you will want to use cold water when you replace the water.


4.

Change the water every two days

Fresh, clean water will keep your cut flowers alive longer. Remove the flowers from the vase every two or three days, rinse the vase out, and fill it with fresh water. If you have dying foliage, be sure to remove it.

Placing your arrangement in the fridge overnight will also help extend your flower's life. While this may be a challenge depending on the size of the arrangement, it is a nifty trick that will do wonders for your flower's life, especially in the summertime.

5. Remove dying flowers

Everything has a season, and there will be a time when some of your flowers will start to fade and turn dark. After several days, you may notice some individual flowers begin to wilt or die.

To continue to enjoy your blooming flowers remove the dead or dying blooms as they detract from the beauty and will begin to grow mold and contaminate the healthy flowers. This will keep your arrangement looking fresh longer.

6. Place your arrangement in the best location

Keeping your cut flowers in the right place can directly impact the life of the flowers. Placing your arrangement in a shaded, cool area that receives indirect sunlight helps preserve the blooms as opposed to bright, direct sunlight and heat. Remember, cooler is better with the exception of tropical blooms which prefer the heat and humidity (like orchids).

One additional tip: If your flowers arrive with a small packet of flower "food,” be sure to use it. While the ingredients vary depending on the manufacturer, most contain sugar to feed the flowers, acid to maintain the pH levels of the water, and a bit of bleach to reduce the bacteria and fungi in the vase water. All three help extend the life of the flowers.

How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks

Flowers are a common gift for any of life’s special occasions and even the moments in between. A bouquet of bright blooms can bring cheer to any space and leave a lasting impression, even after they’re gone. Whether you’ve received an anniversary arrangement, a graduation bouquet or picked out a gorgeous bunch for the coffee table, you’ll want to enjoy them for as long as possible.

The sad truth is that flower bouquets don’t last forever. On the bright side, there are guidelines and little known tips you can use to ensure the longevity of your flowers. We are uncovering everything you need to know about how to make flowers last longer and even putting a few theories to the test.

Flower Care Tips

The first step to making your flowers stay fresh longer is by following a few flower care guidelines. Use the tips below to to extend the life of your blooms from the start.

Cut the Stems One of the most common mistakes people make after receiving flowers is forgetting to cut the stems. Use garden shears to trim one to two inches off and cut at an angle. Cutting the stems at an angle allows for better water intake since they aren’t sitting flat on the bottom of a vase. After the initial cut, be sure to re-trim your bouquet once every few days.

Prune Remove any leaves below the water line. It will not only make your bouquet look better, but also prevent bacterial growth. Some flowers, like roses, have guard petals which are the two or three outermost petals of the flower. Removing these will allow your flower to open up fully. After your initial pruning, you should check your flowers daily for dead or loose leaves and petals in order to avoid bacterial rot.

Water Wisely It’s not only important to get your bouquet hydrated, but to do so wisely. Your flowers won’t last long without water, especially once their stems have been cut. After picking out a clean vase, fill it with room temperature water and add in a packet of flower food. Make sure that the packet has been properly mixed and that the water is not too diluted or too concentrated. It’s also important to clean your vase thoroughly and change out the water and flower food every two to three days.

Avoid Direct Sunlight, Heat, Drafts and Fruit Your flowers will last longer in a room with cool temperatures. Avoid displaying them in direct sunlight or near appliances that generate heat. You’ll also want to avoid areas like open windows, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans as they can cause the flowers to quickly dehydrate. You also shouldn’t display your bouquet near fruit. That’s right, ripening fruits release tiny amounts of ethylene gas which can reduce the longevity of your fresh arrangement.

In addition to general care, people have also been experimenting with different ways to make flowers last longer. Think household remedies like adding pennies, aspirin and even vodka to your flower water.

9 Interesting ways to Make Flowers Last Longer

There’s no need to keep asking yourself how to make flowers last longer. Surprisingly, you might have a few things lying around the house that can help you enjoy your bouquets. Check out the interesting list of household remedies below:

Sure these theories sound convincing, but which ones actually improve the life of your bouquets?

We were curious too, so we put a few flower care strategies to the test. We took the nine most popular theories for how to make flowers last longer in a controlled environment, here’s what we found out.

The Setup

We started with nine of the same ProFlowers bouquets. In each vase, we added one ProFlowers flower food packet and lukewarm water. Then each of the vases received one of the following flower care tricks and there was one control vase that received no treatment. On day three, we changed out the water, cleaned the vase and added the same ingredients back in.

Check out what each of these tricks claim to do, how to make the concoctions yourself and what happened over the next seven days below:

Apple Cider Vinegar and Sugar: Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water into a vase before adding your flowers. Vinegar acts as an antibacterial agent while the sugar acts as additional flower food. Although apple cider vinegar and sugar didn’t take the title as the worst result, it did come in a close second.

Aspirin: Mix 1 crushed aspirin into your vase of fresh flowers. Aspirin is said to lower the pH level of the water allowing it to travel through the flower faster, preventing wilting. Aspirin might be the solution to a head ache, but it’s not your best bet for keeping your flowers fresh.

Bleach: Add ¼ teaspoon of bleach to your vase of fresh flowers and they should stay fresh longer, at least that’s what they say. Bleach will keep your water from getting cloudy as well as help fight bacteria. The bleach did indeed keep the water in the vase from getting too cloudy although, it didn’t stand out in keeping the bouquet fresh.

Coins: Add a copper penny to your fresh bouquet. The copper should act as an acidifier, fighting the bacteria growth in your arrangement. On Day 4, the blooms with the copper penny opened up nicely. In fact, it may have caused the flowers to open too quickly resulting in a few wilting flowers by day 7.

Flower Food: Adding flower food to your vase of fresh flowers is a tried and true way to keep your blooms fresh longer. Each of our tested bouquets also received a packet of flower food along with their treatment.

Fridge: Put your bouquet in the fridge every night before bed (typically 8 hours per night.) Flowers are said to thrive in cooler temperatures. It is thought that the low temps help slow the aging. Looks like floral bouquets like to stay nice and cool. The bouquet that went in the fridge overnight came in first place and is the best way to make flowers last longer. This bouquet was looking healthy even on day 10.

Hair Spray: Spritz your fresh blooms with hairspray. There’s not much science to back this theory, but it holds your hair in place so it should work, right? Wrong. Whatever home remedy you decide to try to keep your flowers alive, it should not be spritzing the petals with hairspray. We recommend avoiding doing so at all costs. The hairspray came in last place being the worst way to make flowers last longer.

Soda: Pour ¼ cup of soda in a vase full of fresh flowers. The sugar in soda is said to make your blooms last longer and even smelling sweeter too. Looks like flowers enjoy some extra sweetness, the soda came in as our runner up trick to making flowers last longer. In fact, even on day 10 the soda bouquet was looking just as healthy as day 1 with the only difference being the flowers opening up more.

Vodka: Add a few drops of vodka (or any clear spirit) to your vase of flowers. Vodka is said to have a different effect on flowers. The spirit’s ability to inhibit ethylene production, a ripening gas that helps plants mature, slows the wilting of the flowers. This proved true and although vodka didn’t take the cake as the best way to keep flowers fresh longer, it did come in as  third runner up.

The results are in! Ever wonder why florists keep their bouquets in the fridge? Well, now you know…

Looks like making sure your flowers are nice and chill is the best way to keep them fresh longer. You can also try adding a little lemon-lime soda to your water mixture. On the other hand, just because a spritz of hairspray will keep your hair in place doesn’t mean it will keep your bouquet of flowers fresh. In fact, we recommend avoiding the hairspray method altogether.

Now that you have some extra tricks up your sleeve for ensuring the longevity of your bouquets, you should try one out yourself! Browse our collection of same day flower delivery and find the perfect bouquet for any celebration or surprise someone with flowers for no reason at all!

Shop Best Selling Flowers

Fiesta Bouquet

$92$67 - $130

Shipped in a Gift Box

The Fiesta Bouquet is composed of a lively mix, fit to celebrate any and every moment. With a combination of vibrant flowers, this florist–designed arrangement brings a pop of color and a burst of excitement as soon as it arrives.

Please Note: The bouquet pictured reflects our original design for this product. While we always try to follow the color palette, we may replace stems to deliver the freshest bouquet possible, and we may sometimes need to use a different vase.

Light of My Life Bouquet

$95$58 - $115

Shipped in a Gift Box

The Light of My Life Bouquet blossoms with brilliant color and a sweet sophistication to create the perfect impression! Pink Lilies make the eyes dance across the unique design of this flower bouquet, surrounded by the blushing colors of orange roses, lavender cushion poms, hot pink carnations, and lush greens. Presented in a clear glass vase, this fresh flower arrangement has been created just for you to help you send your sweetest thank you, happy anniversary, or thinking of you wishes.

Please Note: The bouquet pictured reflects our original design for this product. While we always try to follow the color palette, we may replace stems to deliver the freshest bouquet possible, and we may sometimes need to use a different vase.

Beyond Blue Bouquet

$60 - $95

Shipped in a Gift Box

There is something about the shade of blue that brings a sense of calmness and serenity. Our Beyond Blue bouquet is designed with billowing white blooms and pops of bold florals to deliver just the right sentiment for any reason.

Please Note: The bouquet pictured reflects our original design for this product. While we always try to follow the color palette, we may replace stems to deliver the freshest bouquet possible, and we may sometimes need to use a different vase.

tips on how to keep a bouquet of fresh flowers longer

A bouquet is a great opportunity to express feelings. Modest and exotic, colorful and laconic - fresh flowers enchant with freshness and tenderness, but, unfortunately, their age is short. After cutting, each plant has its own lifespan. In some flowers, it is quite large (for example, chrysanthemums keep freshness for almost a month), others - for example, wild flowers - wither without special care in just a few days. How to save a bouquet so that it pleases the eye with beauty longer, today the florists of the St. John's wort online store will tell. nine0003

How to keep the bouquet longer - general tips

Cut plants lose their connection with the root system, which was the source of nutrition, which means they lose the possibility of further development and wither. But that's no reason to be upset. If you know how to save a bouquet, you can slow down the process of wilting and even reverse it for a while.

Choosing a vase

Choosing the right vase is one of the key points to keep the bouquet longer. The neck should not squeeze the stems to ensure unhindered circulation of the juice. It is desirable that the diameter is 2 times the circumference of the stems. Be sure to rinse the vase before putting flowers in it, even with boiling water. Unfavorable microflora shortens the life of plants. nine0003

Comfortable atmosphere

Moving outdoors in winter and then back into warmth is detrimental to delicate plants. How to keep a bouquet in the cold? Wrapped in paper to reduce the stress of being in the cold. Do not rush to put a bouquet from the street in a vase, let the plants adapt to room temperature.

Flowers are afraid not only of cold, but also of prolonged heat. The recommendations on how to keep the bouquet in the summer are the same: after being outside, the flowers should lie indoors for some time, only then you can start cutting them and placing them in water. nine0003

Keep the flower vase away from direct sunlight, heaters and drafts. Be sure to change the water regularly, and for some plants, spray the leaves with a spray bottle. Please note that some types of flowers like warm water, others only need cold water: ask your florist how to save a bouquet when buying it.

Re-Cutting

An important tip on how to preserve the bouquet is to treat the stems before placing the flowers in the vase. It is necessary to remove the leaves from the lower third of the stem and freshen the cut. After these simple manipulations, the flowers better absorb life-giving moisture. Longitudinal incision up to 4 cm increases access to more water. The lignified stems of chrysanthemums and artisanal plants are doused with boiling water so that the oils seal the lumen of the vessels from the penetration of bacteria. nine0003

Nutrient mixture

Nutrient composition will revive flowers that have already begun to fade. You can buy a ready-made mixture or make your own. Formula formula for 1 liter of water:

  • lemon juice 2 tbsp;
  • sugar 1 tbsp.
  • bleach ½ tbsp.

The presence of bleach can be alarming, but the alarms are in vain. A small concentration will not harm the plants, but will prevent the growth of bacteria. Sugar will serve as a good recharge, and lemon juice will reduce water hardness. nine0003

How to keep a bouquet in a vase longer

It is important not to forget to change the water every day, as stale water is a source of pathogenic flora and contributes to wilting. When changing the water, you should also wash the container for the bouquet. Flowers will be grateful if you refresh them with water from a spray bottle from time to time. Another tip on how to keep the bouquet fresh and fragrant is to touch it less with your hands. Touches injure the surface layer of the plant, moisture evaporates through imperceptible dents, which it needs so much. nine0003

Remember that flowers and fruits are unwanted neighbors. Most fruits exude ethylene gas into the air, from which bouquets quickly wither.

How to preserve bouquets of different types of flowers

Roses

There is a misconception that the queen of flowers should be completely immersed in water. This is not worth doing, but cutting the stems at a very sharp angle, and updating the cuts will be useful.

Here are some tips on how to save a bunch of roses:

  • flowers from frost must rest 30 minutes before processing;
  • to prevent rotting, the stem is freed from the lower leaves;
  • To properly nourish the buds, the stalk must be shortened to 40 cm.

Tulips

How to preserve a bouquet of tulips that do not last more than 5 days? An elegant spring flower will please the eye longer if it is fed with a nutrient mixture. Before placing the bouquet in a vase, remove the anthers - without them, the flowers will last longer. nine0003

Chrysanthemums

These are hardy flowers, but they need help. In order for the bouquet to stand in a vase for more than three weeks, a maintenance solution will be required. Chrysanthemums need a wide container and warm water. It is better to install a vase away from the sun in a room without drafts and strong odors. The way to keep the bouquet longer is to make as long cuts as possible at the stems before placing in a vase. At the tip of the stem, several cuts of 3-4 cm are made, the resulting parts are moved apart in different directions. Change the water and wash the vase every two days. nine0003

Lilies

How to save a bouquet of lilies? The stems are placed in water where the cut is made at an angle of 45°. A pre-washed vase is 2/3 filled with water. Leaves are removed from the part of the stem that will be immersed. The stems should not rest against the bottom, so as not to block access to nutrients. Once every 2-3 days, cut the stems and change the water. As the buds open, the anthers are removed from them (they are not cut off, but pulled out).

How to keep bouquet longer with floral sponge

Caring for this green oasis is like caring for houseplants. It is necessary to ensure that the floral sponge is always slightly damp. For irrigation, water at room temperature is required. Watering rules:

  1. the procedure is carried out on average once a day;
  2. plants must not be pulled out of the floral sponge;
  3. after watering, wait for the sponge to fill with water and drain off the excess;
  4. To avoid putrefactive processes, the sponge is regularly cleaned of fallen leaves. nine0033

Subject to all simple rules, the composition will last more than 14 days.

Another important factor in how to save a bouquet is to buy freshly cut flowers. For example, there are no ready-made compositions in St. John's Wort: each is assembled immediately before delivery. Plants are purchased from trusted suppliers and never stale. This allows us to guarantee that our original bouquets for women and men will give the recipient a great mood for a long time!

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What to add to water to make flowers last longer in a vase

Why do flowers fade quickly?

The main reason is the lack of a familiar environment. Cut stems are deprived of nutrition, which was carried out by obtaining the necessary substances by the root system, as well as moisture from the soil. Just water in a vase is not enough for a full life.

You may have already noticed that some bouquets stay fresh much longer than others. It also depends on the type of plant, but to a greater extent - on the conscientiousness of the florist who made you a bouquet. It could be collected from stale, frozen flowers, or it just stood in the store for a long time. nine0003

Flowers fade quickly also because they are not cared for properly. To keep the flowers in the vase longer, you need to change the water frequently. In this case, you need to put the bouquet in the shade, avoiding sunlight.

How to properly prepare a bouquet before placing it in a vase?

Preliminary preparation is necessary in order for the flowers to stand in the water for a long time. First, take apart the bouquet. Cut off each stem about 1-2 cm in length.

Please note that the cutting angle can be any. But we advise sticking to 45-50°.

Now dip the cut sections in lukewarm water. Wait for bubbles to appear.

Choose a container with a neck suitable for the size of the bouquet. It should not pinch the stems. Flowers need "freedom".

The vase must be clean. Do not neglect this point. After cleaning, fill a vase with cool water and place the prepared plants.

How to make the bouquet last longer in a vase

The first and basic rule is to use high-quality water. What kind of water is needed for flowers? Rain or melt is preferred. If there is nowhere to take it, then the most ordinary filtered one will do, but it has settled for a couple of hours, and preferably all night. To soften the water, add a little citric acid.

Spare no water. Pour enough so that it reaches the middle of the stems.

What else is needed to make the flowers stand for a long time? We have already mentioned that before placing the bouquet in a vase, it is necessary to cut off the lower parts of the stems. It is recommended to do this regularly (1 time per day). Through a fresh cut, the plants will be better saturated with moisture. Also remove the leaves/needles from the bottom. nine0003

What to add to flowers to make them last longer

To make flowers last longer, special preservatives are added to the water. Most of the products that extend the life of plants can be found at home:

  • Activated carbon. You only need 2 tablets. Turn them into powder, pour it into water, wait until it dissolves completely.

  • Vodka. The bouquet must be placed in a special solution made from water and vodka. For 1 liter of liquid, you need 1-2 tablespoons of alcohol-containing tincture or vodka. nine0003

  • Ammonium chloride. It is enough to drip 2-3 drops.

  • Potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate). Add a couple of crystals to the vase, mix.

  • Bleach. Put 1-2 drops of Domestos Universal Gel into the water.

  • Acetylsalicylic acid. 1 tablet per vase will be enough. Unravel it first.

  • Sugar. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of powdered sugar / sand into the settled water, mix. nine0003

  • Carbonated drink. It is better if it is colorless. On a vase you need to take 0.25 cups of soda.

Each product for flowers, in order for them to stand 100% long, requires the correct dosage. Follow the proportions described above and do not overdo it with the amount of ingredients.

Which flowers last longer in a vase

How to make flowers last longer? Choose their varieties that are least susceptible to room conditions. Champions in the ability to adapt to different temperature and environmental conditions are chrysanthemums. With proper care, they can decorate the house for 3-4 weeks. nine0003

Carnations are no less hardy. There are many shades of this plant. Pay attention to them if you want a delicate bouquet to please your eye for at least 3 weeks.

Freesias, hyacinths, orchids and asters can keep fresh for at least 14 days. Daisies, irises, peonies and tulips are more capricious. In the absence of care and inappropriate conditions, they wither after 1.5 weeks.

Popular roses cost the least. If you come across “stale” specimens, then they will begin to fade after a couple of days. Fresh flowers will delight for about a week. nine0003

How to make flowers last longer: take good care of cut plants

What can we do to make flowers last longer? You need to follow a few simple rules:

  • Try to put the bouquet in the water as soon as possible. Optimally - within 30-40 minutes from the moment of purchase. The fact is that after the specified time, the flowers begin to wilt naturally due to lack of moisture.

  • Regularly cut off a few centimeters from the stem. By increasing the area of ​​​​water intake, you prolong the life of plants. To do this, use a very sharp knife, preferably a clerical one. It has a thinner and sharper blade. nine0003

  • Pour only settled water into the vase. Don't forget to change it daily.

  • Do not be lazy to spray the bouquet with a spray bottle. Also use settled water. However, keep in mind that with excessive humidity in the room, spraying should not be too frequent.

  • Trim dead leaves, buds and even the petals of the flower itself.

  • Keep the flower vase in the shade at all times.

Life hack: If the buds have begun to wilt, then it's time to give them shock therapy. To do this, pour boiling water on the bottom of the stem (a few centimeters from the end). Cut off the blackened ends. This procedure will help open the pores in the stems, and they will begin to absorb water with a vengeance.

Common mistakes

What can I do to make the flowers stand in a vase for a long time? In fact, everything is simple. Avoid the following errors:

  1. Irregular water changes. Make it a rule to change the water daily. nine0003

Important: the water must not be topped up, but replaced completely.

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