Keep your blooms fresh: Four simple flower care hacks

Is there anything better than a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers? These glorious bursts of colourful and gorgeous flowers can transform any room. But here’s the unfortunate truth about them. They start to die once you set them in the vase. Most flower arrangements will begin to wilt within days and die within a week. There are ways you can help your flower bouquets last longer.

Trim the stems

When fresh flowers are separated from their plant, they will have a type of seal to prevent nutrient loss and protect the stem from losing more water and hydration. Before you place the flowers into your vase of water, recut the stems roughly about 1 inch off the stem to remove any trapped air and allow the stems to drink. Also, try to cut the stems under warm running water to ensure they get hydrated immediately.

Choose the right vase

Selecting the right vase can impact the longevity of your flowers. If they are crammed too tightly in a narrow vase, they won’t have any air circulation, and their stems might be prohibited from drinking water easily. The stems of a vase might also be too tall and bend or break as their heads aren’t well supported.

Remove dying flower petals

It is recommended to cut or pluck off any leaves below the water line in your vase. These leaves can contaminate the water with bacteria and kill the plants more quickly. Keeping the water clean and free from these leaves can help flowers stay fresh and smelling good. Flowers in arrangements will die at different times, and as they die, they will release ethylene gas, which is harmful to other flowers. Removing them promptly and keeping them away from your bouquet arrangement is essential.

Change the water regularly

Change the water in the vase regularly and remove any leaves that may fall into it. Every few days, remove the flowers from the vase if possible, give them a fresh angled cut at the bottom of the stems, and place them back into fresh, lukewarm water. Always wash your vase with soapy water before replacing the water. A clean vase adds longevity to your flowers.