caring for fresh cut flowers

Fresh cut florals can bring joy to any space, but without proper care you may find them wilting prematurely.

Read more for everything you need to know to keep your flowers beautiful and fresh.

Bringing home a bouquet of loose wrapped blooms?

When bringing home a loose bouquet (not already in a vase) there a few steps to take that will make all the difference in the lifespan of your flowers.

1. Select the right vase

Always provide your flowers with a clean vase free of dirt, dust or soap residue. A clean vase is the first most crucial step to giving your flowers the longest lifespan possible.
The shape of your vase should be based on the type of bloom you have, delicate long stems may need a taller vase to support the top heavy blooms, while a shorter wider vase may be more appropriate for large blooms that will open over time.
Pro Tip: If you know you may forget to regularly check on the water levels, a transparent glass vase is a great way to keep the stems and water level visible to you.
2. Fill your vase with the right temperature water

The large majority of cut flowers will do best in room temperature water. Although, flowers that grow on a bulb (Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinth) may do better in slightly colder water.
Fill your vase 3/4 or more full of fresh water to allow for the flowers to have plenty of water to drink.
Do you have flowers that look a little wilted? Using a slightly warmer water and keeping the flowers in a cool area for a few hours may help the flowers perk up. (Be cautious of going too hot or cold - some varieties of flowers can be very delicate!)
3. Clean and trim the stems

Before placing your flowers into the selected vase it is extremely important to remove any leaves that will touch the water.
(Foliage + Water = Damaging rot and bacteria)
Trimming the stems removes the potentially calloused over ends allowing for new fresh water absorption. Garden shears or a knife (using cation!) will give you a clean cut, but kitchen scissors can do the trick as well.
Cut the stems on a 45 degree angle to increase the surface area allowing for more water absorption. This should be done just before you place the flowers into the water
4. Find a good home for your flowers

Once your flowers are ready to be put out in your home it is important to pick a proper location.
Fresh cut flowers do not do well in harsh environments, to enjoy for as long as possible do not place your flowers in direct sunlight or near hot appliances, air conditioners and heating vents.
Although a beautiful combination, it can be beneficial to keep fresh fruit and flowers away from each other. Fresh fruit releases a small amount of ethylene gas that can speed up wilting in your flowers.
5. Continued Maintenance

This is arguably the most forgotten, but most important step for keeping your flowers looking fabulous for as long as possible. Replace the water in your vase and give the vase a cleaning every 1-2 days and trim the stems every 2-3 days. Dirty water leads to bacterial growth and will lead to premature wilting.
In addition to the water being cleaned, getting in the habit of checking your water regularly will keep the ends of your stems submerged. With evaporation and the flowers drinking water, it is so important to keep the vase full of clean water to help the blooms thrive.
6. Enjoy!

Fresh flowers add so much life to a space, make sure to stop and enjoy the beauty.
If you ever have any questions about caring for your flowers, please give us a call, we would love to talk flowers with you!