How to Lengthen the Life of Your Flower Arrangement
Flower care provided by The Botanical Emporium Florist & Greenhouse of Pittsburgh PA 15216, Mt Lebanon PA 15228, 15243, Upper St Clair PA 15241 can make a big difference for any size flower arrangement or fresh flower bouquet. Most floral arrangements last four to seven days or longer, depending on the flowers used and the care they receive.
The Botanical Emporium Florists and The Society of American Florists provide these tips for longer-lasting, more vibrant flowers:
For Floral Arrangements:
1. Keep the vase filled (or floral foam soaked) with water. If the water becomes cloudy, replace it entirely. If possible, re-cut stems diagonally and remove 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 the water.
2. 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 Cellophane Wrapped Flowers
1. Keep Your flowers in a cool place until you can place them in water. Fill a clean (washed with a detergent or antibacterial cleaning solution such as clorox) deep vase with water. Warm water if you want buds to open quickly or wilting, out-of-water flowers to perk up. Cold water if you wish to slow the maturing/opening of the flowers.
2. Remove leaves that will be below the waterline. Leaves in water will promote bacterial microbial growth that may limit water uptake by the flower.
3. Re-cut stems diagonally and remove one to two inches with a sharp knife. (Scissors can crush the stem closing the xylem and phloem tubes which will prevent water moving up the stem.) Place the flowers in the vase you have prepared.
4. If you purchase loose flowers for your own arrangements you should also consider these tips:
a. When selecting flowers, look for flowers with upright firm petals and buds beginning to open. When using woody stems and branches (such as quince, forsythia or lilac), cut the stems with sharp pruning shears. Place the stems in warm water.
b. For large branches, vertically slit the branches one to two inches from the end cut upwards following the grain of the branch to ensure water can move up the stem.