Fresh flowers are still living after they are cut. With a little care, a well-chosen bouquet can look beautiful for far longer than most people expect. These simple steps make a real difference to how long your flowers stay at their best.
Change the water regularly
Flowers drink more than you might expect. A large arrangement can take up all the water in its vase within the first day or two. Keep the vase topped up, and change the water completely every two to three days. As stems sit in water, bacteria builds up and begins to shorten the life of the flowers. Fresh water removes that bacteria and helps the bouquet stay looking its best for longer. For a large arrangement, carefully tip the vase over a sink to drain without disturbing the design, then refill gently from the top.
Trim the stems before placing in water
When flowers are out of water, even briefly, the cut ends begin to dry and the cells close over. Trimming at least a centimetre from the base of each stem — at an angle, using sharp scissors or a clean knife — exposes fresh tissue that can draw up water immediately. Repeat this each time you change the water to keep the stems drinking efficiently.
Keep flowers away from heat and direct sunlight
Unlike potted plants, cut flowers are not helped by a sunny windowsill. Warmth and light encourage flowers to open and age more quickly. A cool spot away from direct sun, radiators and draughts will help them last considerably longer. If you want to slow the opening of tightly budded flowers, a cooler room is ideal.
Keep flowers away from ripening fruit
Ripening fruit gives off ethylene, a natural gas that causes flowers to drop their petals more quickly. Bananas and apples are particularly high producers. Keeping your vase away from the fruit bowl is a simple step that can add days to the life of a bouquet.
Use flower food
The small sachet of flower food that comes with many bouquets is worth using. It feeds the flowers and contains a mild bactericide that helps keep the water fresh. If you do not have a sachet, you can make a simple substitute by adding one teaspoon of sugar, two teaspoons of lemon juice and a small amount of household bleach to a litre of water before adding your flowers. Note that a few varieties, including sunflowers and zinnias, prefer plain water without additives.
Use a clean vase
Bacteria from a previous arrangement can linger in a vase even after it has dried out. Wash vases thoroughly in hot soapy water between uses, or put them through a dishwasher cycle. A clean vase gives your next bouquet the best possible start.
Use sharp scissors or a clean knife
Blunt scissors crush the stem tissue rather than cutting through it cleanly, which reduces the flower's ability to take up water. A sharp, clean cut leaves the cells intact and allows the stem to drink properly from the moment it goes into the vase.
With a little attention, most fresh flowers will reward you with several days of colour and fragrance. If you have any questions about caring for a specific arrangement from Ramsbothams, our team is always happy to help.
