Who else enjoyed Valentine's Day this year? This holiday always brings cheer and lots of flowers! It is important to make sure your flowers thrive and last for a long period of time. I mean- who wouldn't mind looking at bouquet of flowers every time they wake up? Here are some tips provided by ProFlowers.com on how to make your gorgeous bouquet last to see more days!
Cut the Stems
One of the most common mistakes 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. Somme flowers, like roses, have guard peals which are the two or three petals of the flower. Removing these will allow your flowers to open 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 the packet has been properly mixed and that the water is not too diluted or too concentrated. It's imperative 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 should avoid displaying your bouquet near fruit. Fruits can release tiny amounts of ethylene as which can reduce the longevity of your fresh arrangement.
Make sure to capture the true beauty of your flowers by taking a picture of them- those last even longer!
Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc. Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area. Learn more from our website or Facebook page.
