Keep Bouquets Looking Their Best For Longer
A bunch of roses received for Valentine’s Day, or any time of the year, are a beautiful addition to any home. But treat them like a basic houseplant and they’ll be dead before the weekend. Most people think care starts and ends with a half-hearted water top-up, but if you want your bouquet to survive the honeymoon phase, there’s a whole science to the setup, and the difference between a week of romance and a vase full of shrivelled stems comes down to the details you’re currently ignoring.
Belle About Town spoke to Bloom & Wild’s floral lead Lucy Hook has shared tips on how best to care for flowers so they last as long as possible after Valentines day.
Guard Petals
The petals on the outside of roses that can look bruised and old at first glance are actually left on purpose. Guard petals are there to protect the flowers’ vibrant and more aesthetically pleasing petals from getting damaged whilst in transit. These can be plucked off to reveal the petals beneath by gently pinching them away from the base.
Trim your stems on arrival
The first instinct for many when receiving flowers is to place them in a vase of water. While well intentioned, there’s a very important step that is being missed, stem trimming. When flowers first arrive, the stems will likely be dry and hard, which makes it harder for the stems to absorb water. Trimming them around 3-5cm will make it easier for them to hydrate more quickly, and therefore last longer.
Pruning Leaves
When leaves rest in water, they begin to deteriorate, eventually making the water not just dirty but also detrimental to the health of the roses that drink it. By pruning the leaves above the waterline, the water can stay healthier for longer, and the flowers can stay as colourful as possible.
Plenty of water
Water is key to the health of flowers. By keeping vases ¾ full of both water and flower food, the roses will stay healthy and vibrant. The water won’t last, though, and by refreshing it every few days, you can ensure that the water is still providing your roses with everything they need to thrive. A key indicator that the water is due for a change is clarity; if the water isn’t clear, then it’s not healthy enough for flowers of any variety to thrive in.
Pick the right place
Finding the perfect place for flowers is important; not only can they brighten up drab areas of a room, but it’s also key to the longevity of the blooms. Placing flowers on windowsills or close to radiators will dehydrate them, making them last significantly less time than they would on a coffee table or mantlepiece. However, it’s not just areas that bring a lot of heat that can damage them, interestingly fruit can also damage flowers due to the natural gases they release, making them fade.
Keep on top of trimming
Trimming your flowers’ stems regularly is as important as it is when they first arrive. Keeping them trimmed by around 1cm will ensure that they are able to remain hydrated and last as long as possible.
