Making cut flowers last longer

How to make your bouquet last longer

Few things beat the feeling of receiving - or treating yourself to - a beautiful bouquet. Flowers brighten up the room and spread joy in an instant. But how do you prolong that floral bliss? Here, as a florist, I share my top tips for keeping flowers fresh for longer.

1. start with a clean vase

Bacteria are the worst enemy of flowers. Wash the vase thoroughly with warm water and a little detergent before putting in the bouquet. A clean vase gives the flowers the best conditions.

2. Cut the stems regularly

Cut off 1-2 cm of the stems at an oblique angle. This allows the flowers to absorb more water. Repeat every two or three days - just as we florists do when we recut the stems several times a week. A fresh cut can give the flowers a whole new lease of life.

 

3. Fresh and cool water

Fill the vase with cold, clean water and change it completely every two to three days. Just refilling is not enough - new water keeps the bouquet fresh for longer. In our house, we change the water several times a week and see the difference immediately.

4. Remove leaves below the water surface

Leaves that end up in the water will rot quickly and shorten the life of the bouquet. Therefore, remove any green that ends up below the waterline.

5. Place the bouquet correctly

Flowers thrive in a bright room but not in direct sunlight. Also avoid radiators, stoves and drafts. And here comes an important florist tip: never put the flowers next to the fruit bowl. Ripe fruit emits ethylene gas which causes the flowers to wilt much faster.

6. Feed them (or make your own flower food)

Always follow the instructions if your bouquet comes with nutrition. If you don't have any, you can make your own mixture with a pinch of sugar (energy) and a small splash of lemon juice or vinegar (keeps the bacteria away).

 

7. a little love on the road

Give the bouquet some care at regular intervals: trim the stems, change the water and remove any flowers that start to droop. This will give the rest of the bouquet a chance to bloom longer.

Make your cut flowers last longer

  • Roses: Remove the outer 'guard leaves' for a fresher look.
  • Tulips: Put a crown in the vase - it helps them stand straight.
  • Hydrangeas: If they go limp, you can dip the whole flower head in water for a few minutes.
  • Clematis: A shop favorite - here you see a vase with freshly cut stems. Recutting and re-watering several times a week does wonders for the shelf life.

Let joy bloom longer

With a little care, a bouquet can stay beautiful for more than a week and bring joy to your home day after day. Flowers are a living gift - and with the right care, you can enjoy them for a long time.

Do you want a bouquet that is both durable and beautiful? Welcome to The Mayflower on Hornsgatan 60, Södermalm - your florist with passion for flowers that last.

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