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There’s nothing quite like a beautiful arrangement of flowers in your home or office.  They bring a freshness and sense of vitality, and create a beautiful ambience to be enjoyed by all.

However, making those fresh flowers last longer can be a tricky task, sometimes it feels like you only bought them yesterday before they begin to fade.  Well there’s some simple steps that you can take to bring longevity to your flowers and make them last all that much longer.

Here at Abdo Florist, being in the flower business for over 40 years, we’re experts on all matters flower related. We’ve composed this handy guide to help you preserve your flowers and continue to enjoy them for longer.

Cut the Stems

The first step to make sure your flowers last longer is to clip the stems before putting them in water.

Try to avoid using scissors as this may actually damage the stems, instead use a non-serrated knife or pruning shears to cut around 3cm off the bottom of the stems at a 45-degree angle.

Following this practice prevents the stem from squishing and allows it to absorb more water, cutting at an angle also helps the stems take in water more easily since they’re not resting flat against the bottom of the vase.  Best practise is to re-trim your flowers every few days for a fresh and clean stem.

Prune Extra Leaves

Before putting your flowers in water it’s important to remove any extra foliage that is likely to sit below the waterline. This is vital as it prevents bacterial growth in the water, helping keep the water clear and clean longer, and free of any bad odours. It also allows the flower’s energy to be focused on the main bloom, helping keep it alive longer.

Don’t forget to check your flowers daily to remove dead leaves and petals, thereby minimising the likelihood of any bacterial rot. This is especially important in mixed flower bouquets which have multiple types of flowers that may have different blooming times.

Choose the Right Vase

A vase represents the home of your beautiful bouquet of flowers, so it’s imperative that it sets the right foundation and support. There are generally two factors to consider: the width of the opening and the length of the vase. Try to select a vase that has an adequate opening to comfortably fit your arrangement, otherwise if the opening is too narrow the stems will be cramped and squashed together, if the opening is too wide the arrangement will not have any form or shape.

In regards to the length of the vase, this is dependent on the type of floral arrangement.

Generally bigger, heavier flowers should be cut short and put in a low vase where they can support each other when they open or have room to spread out. On the other hand, lighter, more delicate flowers can be kept in a taller vase having plenty of space to spread out.

Change Water Regularly and Feed Your Flowers

Water is the key to life. Fresh, clean water will keep your cut flowers alive longer.

Every two days clean your vase and replenish it with clean water. Start by taking the flowers out of the vase, rinse the vase with warm water to remove any residual bacteria, and refill it with room temperature fresh water. If you have a packet of plant food, or any other additive (i.e. sugar), this is a good time to add it, make sure it’s completely mixed and dissolved before you place the flowers back in.

Remove Dying Flowers

On top of regularly trimming the stems and changing the water, another key tip is to remove any dying flowers.

Despite best efforts, some flowers will start to fade before others. Wilting flowers release the ripening gas ethylene which may cause the other flowers to wilt prematurely. It’s necessary to remove dying flowers as they can begin to grow mould and contaminate its neighbours.

Pick the Right Spot

Picking the right spot for your flowers can make a world of difference. Temperature conditions and other contaminants can significantly impact how long your flowers can last.

Pick a cool shaded area that receives indirect sunlight, as colder temperatures help preserve flowers. Also try to avoid appliances that generate high or low temperatures, and open windows, as this can cause flowers to dehydrate more quickly. Finally don’t place flowers near fruit, as fruit releases tiny amounts of gas that can cut the lifespan of flowers.

Flowers bring so much joy and positivity into our homes or offices. It’s important to take some simple key steps to ensure they last that little bit longer.

First make sure you prepare your flowers correctly by trimming the stems and removing any extra foliage, then choose an appropriate vase that matches your floral arrangement.  Select a spot for your vase in a cool shaded area that receives indirect sunlight. As part of maintenance, regularly change the water, feed your flowers with any additives and remove any wilting flowers.

Taking these steps will help you get the most out of your flowers and allow them to keep spreading joy in your home or office.

We hope that this guide will help you, if you have any further questions don’t hesitate to contact us here at Abdo Florist. We’re a long standing family owned and operated business that can look after 

all your flower needs. We have an extensive collection of flowers, have extended trading hours, and provide reliable same day delivery.

For any flower related needs, big or small, feel free to contact us here at Abdo Florist.