Fresh cut blooms are one of the best ways to perk up any space, whether you source them from your garden or a florist. However, knowing how to care for cut flowers is crucial if you want them to exude color, life, fragrance, and beauty for many days. After all, wilting or drooping blooms can be a sore sight, no matter where you place them or how beautiful the container is. This article highlights simple yet effective fresh cut flower care tips.
Smart Tips for Keeping Flowers Fresh for Long
While no two blooms are the same, and some flowers need more care than others to thrive, the following tips can make it easy for you to keep arrangements or bouquets fresh and vibrant for a long time:
1. Pick a Suitable Container
One of the best fresh flower tips is to use a clean vase completely free from any soap residue or other impurities. If you are working with heavy and voluminous blooms, cut them short and arrange them in a low vase so they can spread out easily. For delicate, light flowers, pick a tall vase. Additionally, no matter what container you use, avoid stuffing too many flowers in it. Make sure there is ample room for them to breathe.
2. Trim Stems Before Placing Them in Water
Use sharp, regular scissors or garden shears to cut the flower stems by 2 inches and at a 45-degree angle before placing them in water. The angle will boost water absorption due to increased surface area. Take care not to crush the stems while cutting. In the case of roses, trim the stems underwater so that air bubbles inside the stems don’t block the water flow.
3. Check Water Temperature and Acidity Level
For optimal cut flower maintenance, use room-temperature water. Bulb flowers, however, thrive better in cold water. Make sure the container is three-quarters full. The water needs to be slightly acidic too, with the pH ideally between 3.5 and 5.0.
4. Remove Underwater Leaves
This is one of the simple yet often ignored fresh cut flower care tips. Regularly check up on the arrangement to make sure there are no leaves growing under the waterline. If you notice any, remove such leaves. Otherwise, they can rot and promote the growth of bacteria.
5. Be Consistent with Maintenance
Cleaning the vase daily and replacing dirty water are essential for keeping flowers fresh. Remember that dirty water encourages bacterial growth and causes early wilting of blooms. Moreover, every couple of days, re-cut the stems so they absorb water efficiently.
6. Avoid Harsh Environments
Don’t place fresh cut flowers near open windows, in direct or strong sunlight, or near fans, hot appliances, or air conditioners. Cut flowers should also be kept at a distance from fresh fruits, as the latter emit ethylene gas in traces, which can accelerate wilting.
7. Get Flower Food
One of the vital fresh cut flower care tips is to use pre-packaged food or preservative mixtures sold by florists. These include everything to help cut blooms last long: a balanced combination of sugar, biocide to remove bad bacteria, and acidifiers to regulate the water’s pH level. Or you can also prepare your own flower food by filling the vase with one part Sprite, three parts water, and just a little bleach. Another option is to take a quart container of water and add a mix of sugar (2 tablespoons), apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons), and bleach (half a teaspoon).
8. Use Vodka to Slow Down Wilting
Adding a little alcohol to the water can prevent the blooms from aging quickly. The alcohol delays the production of ethylene gas from the flowers, which is responsible for wilting.
9. Keep Harmful Flowers Apart
Remember that irises, hyacinths, and daffodils produce toxic chemicals to other blooms sharing the same water. So, keep such flowers in a different vase for a day before pairing them with non-harmful blooms. Also, if any flower (no matter what the type) shows signs of being diseased, remove it from the arrangement immediately.
10. Handle Blooms Carefully
This is one of those fresh cut flower care tips you cannot ignore if you want the blooms to look pretty and lush. Avoid touching, holding, or fiddling with the blooms or floral heads. Hold the stems instead, but gently. Also, make sure you don’t get the blooms wet.
Conclusion
Besides keeping this home flower care guide handy, remember that the longevity of cut blooms depends on the species, too. For instance, lilies, chrysanthemums, carnations, hydrangeas, and alstroemerias last for 10 days at least, if not more. On the other hand, daisies, lilacs, and peonies usually last for up to a week at the most, based on the variant. However, following the basic tips outlined here can keep any bloom alive and fresh for quite a while.
Also, unless you have a garden, avail fresh flower delivery service from a reputed and reliable florist so the blooms last easily. Make sure to check any specific care instructions included with the arrangement as well.
Order Fresh Cut Flowers from Alpha Floral So They Last Long
Cut flower maintenance is hassle-free when you order bouquets or arrangements from Alpha Floral. From roses, dahlias, and lilies to orchids, hydrangeas, tulips, and irises, we deliver the most stunning and freshest blooms for any occasion. In addition to requesting the best flowers in Santa Barbara best flowers in Santa Barbara from us, you can consult our experts about effective care tips or find out which varieties are the most long-lasting.
All you have to do is email us at alphafloral@gmail.com or call us on (805) 965-5165.
