Flower Care
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For Floral Arrangements / For Loose Bunches or Boxed Flowers / Roses / Making Flowers Last Longer / Arranging Flowers
Most floral arrangements last 4-7 days or longer, depending on the flowers used and the care they receive. The Society of American Florists provides these tips for longer-lasting, more vibrant flowers:
For Floral Arrangements
- Keep the vase filled (or floral foam soaked) with water containing a flower food provided by your florist. Flower foods make flowers last longer but it is important to follow the mixing directions on the flower food packet. Most packets are to be mixed with either a pint or a quart of water. Flower foods should not be diluted with more water than is specified on the packet.
- If the flower food solution becomes cloudy, replace it entirely with properly mixed flower food solution. If possible, re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife. Be sure to use a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems. Immediately place the stems into solution.
- Keep flowers in a cool spot (65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit), away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or on top of televisions or radiators. (Appliances like televisions give off heat, which causes flowers to dehydrate.) Most flowers will last longer under cool conditions.
For Loose Bunches or Boxed Flowers
- Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them in a flower food solution. Don't forget how important it is to follow the mixing directions on the flower food packet.
- Fill a clean (washed with a detergent or antibacterial cleaning solution), deep vase with water and add a flower food from your florist.
- Remove leaves that will be below the waterline. Leaves in water will promote bacterial microbial growth that may limit water uptake by the flower.
- Re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife. Place the flowers in the vase solution you've prepared.
Roses
- Remove any leaves that may be under water.
- While holding the stems under water in a sink or under running water, cut about one inch off each stem with a sharp knife or shears. DO NOT let the newly cut end dry off before transferring it back to your arrangement or other container.
- Immediately after the stems are cut, place your roses in a clean, deep vase of warm preservative solution (about 100 degrees F). If possible leave them in a cool dark room or refrigerator to 'condition' for 2 or 3 hours after arranging.
- Temperature is key to the lifespan of flowers. Display your fresh cut rose arrangements in a cool area out of direct sunlight and drafts.
- Water to which a good floral preservative has been added is the best solution in which to arrange fresh cut roses. Using it as recommended will provide additional days of vase life. Avoid using water from a water softener.
- Wilted Roses may be revived by placing them under water. Submerge the entire rose under water in a sink or bathtub. In 20 to 60 minutes, the rose should have absorbed enough water to replenish itself. While submerged, cut off 1 inch of the stem using a sharp knife or scissors.
- Roses are thirsty flowers. It is important to check to see that the vase is full and add preservative solution often. Be sure foam materials are completely saturated and the container is full daily.
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Making Flowers Last Longer
- Always use clean vases or containers. This will prevent any bacteria from ruining the quality of the flowers.
- Remove all of the leaves which will be under the water while in the vase. Leaves that are submerged will rot, thus creating bacteria and shortening the life span of your flowers.
- Always add the cut flower food supplied to you by your floral provider, to the water in the vase. Change the water and flower food every three to four days.
- Our grower fresh flowers are shipped when they are in bud or half open, which is the recommended state to pick flowers. You will then have the pleasure of seeing them slowly open up, this also increases the life span of your flowers.
- Never place your floral arrangements in full sun or over a radiator. This will cause excess water loss from the flowers, and they will wilt very quickly. For a maximum life span the best place for your flowers is in a cool room.
- Use a container that is in proportion to the amount of flowers you have. Too small of a container for the flowers will not hold enough water, and they may dry out before you realize it.
- Once or twice a day lightly spray your finished arrangement with clear water to create a humid atmosphere around the flowers.
Arranging Flowers
- Think about the size of the space in which your arrangement will be placed, and choose the size of you container and flowers accordingly. A big vase and lots of flowers will look overcrowded on a small side table. A small vase and few flowers would look lost in a larger display area.
- When using open flowers, such as roses, daffodils or gerbera daisies, try to turn some of them at different angles to show different shape. Try not to arrange your flowers all facing in the same direction if the arrangement can be viewed from various angles.
- Try to allow some space between the flowers to prevent a crowded effect.
- Make sure that your vase is leak proof and that it has a neck which is big enough for the flowers to fit comfortably.
- If the flowers sometimes don't stand up straight it could be that your vase is too short for the flowers, or that the flowers are too tall for the vase.
- A good way to check if the vase you would like to use is of an appropriate height, is too see if the vase is at least half as tall as the flowers.
- If you cut your flowers too short, don't think that it is all for loss! Either put pebbles or marbles at the bottom of your vase for shorter flowers to stand on. You could also simply cut the head off of the flower and float it in a decorative dish, along with candles.
- You can use filler flowers in a sparse looking arrangement to give it a much fuller appearance. Some good examples of filler flowers include, feverfew, ferns, Queen Anne's lace, baby's breath, heather, statice, and aster.
- To give your arrangement more dimension cut the flowers at various lengths. Place the longest stems in the center of your bouquet.
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