With proper flower care, most
commercially grown flowers will last at last a week if treated properly.
Some varieties last longer than others - if you want something
particularly long lasting, just ask your BFA member
florist.
.
1. Make
sure vases are very clean.
2. Use
fresh lukewarm water with commercial cut flower food added.
3. Remove any leaves that will be below
the water level.
4. Cut at least 3cm
(1 inch) off all stems, making a slanted cut with a sharp knife or very
sharp scissors (placing in water immediately afterwards).
5. Avoid direct sunlight, heat, or draughts which
can shorten flowers' lives.
6. Keep
flowers away from fruit.
7. Top up the
water regularly and add flower food in
proportion.
DO...
Buy flowers from a
reputable outlet, and choose blooms with firm petals or
with buds that show a degree of colour to ensure the flowers will develop
fully.
Ask for cut flower food if it
is not already supplied. This contains the correct
ingredients to a) feed the flowers properly, b) keep bacteria at bay
(which blocks the stem and stops water uptake), c) encourage buds to open,
d) lengthen the life of the flowers. Snipping the corner off a one-dose
sachet and adding it to the vase water is simple and effective - and
scientifically tested to make your flowers last longer.
Use lukewarm water - there's less
oxygen in it, and helps prevent air bubbles in the stem that will
block water uptake. It also encourages some flowers to open up. The only
exception to this is spring bulb flowers like daffodils and tulips which
prefer cold water.
Use thoroughly
clean vases - bacteria kills flowers.
Cut stems at an angle.This
gives the stem a bigger area to take up more water, and stops it resting
on the bottom of the vase and sealing itself.
DON'T...
Smash or pierce the stems, or use blunt
scissors, as this destroys the water vessels and inhibits water
uptake, and causes bacteria to multiple more quickly and over a larger
area. It also causes the flower undue stress which shortens its life.
Mix daffodils and narcissi
with other flowers. They emit latex from their stems when
cut, which is known as `daffodil slime', and shortens the life of other
flowers. Keep daffodils alone in vases, or use the special bulb cut flower
food which makes them safe to mix with other flowers. You can place the
daffodils in a bucket of water for at least 12 hours on their own and then
arrange them with other flowers, making sure you do not cut the stem
again.
Put flowers near ripening
fruit – it releases tiny amounts of ethylene gas which
prematurely ages flowers. Dying flowers do the same so always remove them
from the vase.
Place flowers in a
draught which chills the flowers, or in bright
sunlight which encourages bacteria to breed. Keep them
away from over-warm central heating.
Put copper coins, aspirin,
lemonade, or bleach in the water. They're popular tricks
but they don't work, and they can't feed your flowers
adequately.
