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How to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer
Do your shop-bought flowers fade too soon? Read these expert tips to help your blooms stay fresh
There’s nothing quite like a colourful bunch of fresh flowers to make the world feel like a better place. In terms of home décor, they’re a quick, affordable fix and a great way to stay in tune with the changing seasons. However, no one likes droopy blooms, slimy flower stems or murky water, so at a recent flower arranging workshop for Houzz, Stuart Fenwick, floral artisan for bloomon, shared the following tips for making your bouquet last longer.
Add some bleach
Change the water every three days, clean out your vase with bleach and put a small drop of bleach in the water to kill any bacteria. (Not too much, though – you don’t want to kill all your flowers, too!)
Change the water every three days, clean out your vase with bleach and put a small drop of bleach in the water to kill any bacteria. (Not too much, though – you don’t want to kill all your flowers, too!)
Cut stems on an angle
When changing the water, cut the stems on an angle, ideally using a clean, sharp knife. Sharp scissors will do the job, too, if you’re not so handy with a knife. If you have any woody stems, cut them vertically up the stem, so more water gets to the head of the flower.
See how to create a flower bouquet like a pro
When changing the water, cut the stems on an angle, ideally using a clean, sharp knife. Sharp scissors will do the job, too, if you’re not so handy with a knife. If you have any woody stems, cut them vertically up the stem, so more water gets to the head of the flower.
See how to create a flower bouquet like a pro
Don’t overwater
Use shallow water in your vase to stop the deterioration of soft stems.
The only exception to this rule is if your flowers have woody stems (such as berries or hedgerow flowers) as these need all the water they can get, so will appreciate a deep drink.
Use shallow water in your vase to stop the deterioration of soft stems.
The only exception to this rule is if your flowers have woody stems (such as berries or hedgerow flowers) as these need all the water they can get, so will appreciate a deep drink.
Trim all excess foliage
How else to avoid murky water and slimy flower stems? Make sure no foliage or leaves are dipped in the water, as this is the usual culprit, making the flowers go bad quicker. Any stems below the top of the vase should be stripped of foliage and buds.
How else to avoid murky water and slimy flower stems? Make sure no foliage or leaves are dipped in the water, as this is the usual culprit, making the flowers go bad quicker. Any stems below the top of the vase should be stripped of foliage and buds.
Stay away from fruit
Did you know fruit and flowers don’t really mix that well? To make your flowers last longer, keep them apart, as many fruits, including apples and pears, gives off ethylene gas, which will make the flowers deteriorate.
Find out how to make supermarket herbs last longer
Did you know fruit and flowers don’t really mix that well? To make your flowers last longer, keep them apart, as many fruits, including apples and pears, gives off ethylene gas, which will make the flowers deteriorate.
Find out how to make supermarket herbs last longer
Keep them cool and happy
Flowers placed on a sunny windowsill will open at super-fast speed, but will fade just as quickly. For optimum flowering conditions, keep them out of direct sunlight, and away from radiators and other sources of heat.
Did you find these tips helpful? Let us know your suggestions in the Comments below.
Flowers placed on a sunny windowsill will open at super-fast speed, but will fade just as quickly. For optimum flowering conditions, keep them out of direct sunlight, and away from radiators and other sources of heat.
Did you find these tips helpful? Let us know your suggestions in the Comments below.
When you get back from the shop or market, always take your flowers out of their packaging straight away, cut the stems and place them in fresh water. Don’t hang about and give them a chance to wilt – treat them with lots of care right from the start.