TIPS TO KEEP FRESH FLOWERS ALIVE AS LONG AS POSSIBLE
Whether you receive them as a gift, decide to treat yourself, or purchased them at your local Rock Hill florist, a bouquet of fresh flowers is sure to brighten up your day and add a pop of color to your space. Flowers can stay fresh for about a week, but if you take care of them properly, your blooms will be perky for about 7-12 days. Following these easy tips will help your flowers stay healthy and colorful for up to a week longer.
TRIM THE STEMS
Once you’ve received your bouquet, trim the stems before you place your flowers in a vase. Remove at least one inch off the end of the stem and make your cut at a 45-degree angle. Making a slanted cut at the bottom of the stem helps the flowers absorb more water and prevent wilting. Re-trim the stems every few days to keep the stems clean and make your blooms stay hydrated.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT VASE
Different vases work better with different amounts and types of flowers. Make sure that your vase is big enough to fit your flowers without crowding, which can cause the flowers to wilt sooner. If you don’t have a vase that is large enough for your bouquet, consider popping a few blossoms in a smaller vase or mason jar so make sure that all your flowers have enough space.
Larger flowers with heavier blooms such as peonies and sunflowers should be trimmed and stored in a vase that is shorter to keep the weight of the flower heads from bending the flowers. These flowers should be allowed to rest on the side of the vase or be arranged in a way that they can support each other to prevent slumping. Lighter, more delicate flowers such as roses and baby’s breath can be kept long and stored in taller vases.
FEED YOUR FLOWERS
After you cut the stems, place your freshly trimmed flowers into a vase of cool room temperature water and a packet of flower food. If you don’t have flower food, adding ¼ cup of clear soda or a combination of 1 teaspoon of sugar and 2 teaspoons of lemon or lime juice to the vase. These mixtures provide the perfect blend of carbohydrates and acidifiers to nourish the flowers and make them smell a little sweeter.
KEEP THE VASE CLEAN
Make sure the vase is clean before you put the flowers in it, and make sure to remove wilted flowers from the bouquet and strain out leaves, petals and any other debris floating in the water to prevent bacteria growth. Pruning the leaves off your flowers can help prevent them from falling into the vase later. It is also important to change the water and add fresh food every 2-3 days to keep your flowers in tip top shape.
COOL OFF YOUR BLOOMS
Your flowers will flourish in a space that is cool and shady. Keep your bouquet away from windows, vents and appliances that produce drafts, heat and light to keep your blooms from drying out. You can pop your flowers in the fridge at night when they don’t have an audience to help them live longer. Just make sure to avoid placing your vase near fruit —fruits release ethylene gas, a substance that can be harmful to your flowers, as they ripen.
The Mercantile Flower Bar
Stop by our in-store flower bar and grab flowers by the stem, create a custom arrangement or pick up a pre-arranged bouquet today! Also, don’t forget about our flower arrangement workshops so you can learn how to build your own bouquet!
