Prep your vase

Warm water and a small dose of bleach will do the trick in removing any dust or dirt in your vase. Ideally allow the vase to dry naturally, don’t use a towel! This is the first step in prevent bacteria from growing in your vase and decreasing the longevity of your bouquet.

Condition your water

Add lukewarm water to vase* and stir the flower food in well. Let the water rest until its at room temperature, allowing any bubbles to escape and food to dissolve. Your flowers will drink up slightly tepid water more efficiently than cold, so its crucial that for their first drink its not in cold water straight from the tap.

*If your flowers have woody stems like roses, they will prefer a vase that is 2/3rds full, whereas those with softer stems, such as tulips like a more shallow drink, so you should fill the vase to slightly less than half way.

Pruning

Remove any leaves that will sit below the water line and continue to remove dead leaves, stems and petals daily to avoid bacteria rot. Avoid picking out floating foliage with your hands, try to use a fork or utensil.

Cut the stems

 

Using either secateurs, the sharpest scissors or a sharp knife, cut between one and two inches off the bottom at a sharp angle. It is important that your tools are clean.

Cutting at an angle stops the stems from sitting flat in the vase and allows for better water intake due to the larger base. Freshly cut stems create a natural pressure that sucks up water so once pruned quickly place into the vase before they try to suck up the surrounding air which will potentially block the stems.

Feeding

Do add the flower food provided to prolong the life of your flowers (except with tulips).

Flower food is a cocktail of bleach, sugar and citric acid that will do wonders for your flowers! The bleach helps kill any bacteria, while the sugar provides energy and the acid balances the PH of the water. The citric acid also dissolves air bubbles and boosts the effectiveness of the bleach. One sachet on average contains the right dosage for 1 litre of water, but be careful not to overdose! If you need further sachets give us a call, we can pop some in the post to you!

Or make your own

You may have a few things around the house that can act as equally good flower foods. They could just be old wives tales but why not give them a try?

  • Apple Cider Vinegar + Sugar

  • Aspirin

  • Bleach

  • Coins

  • Soda

  • Vodka

    Putting your flowers in the fridge over night will also help your flowers to stay fresher for longer, but you’ll need a big fridge for that! We have also heard tales of hairspray working pretty well too - again might be just a myth!

Location Location Location

Your flowers will last longer if you place them out of direct sunlight, heat, draughts and not near fruit. Fruit gives off tiny amounts of ethylene gas that can reduce the life of your bouquet!
If you can, place them in a cool room away from open windows, heating or cooling vents, which will cause the flowers to dehydrate.

Don't neglect your flowers

To maintain healthy flowers change the water every few days and give your vase a thorough clean. Do this when the water goes cloudy too. When doing so trim an inch off the stems to unclog and reopen them. Handle your flowers with care, warm hands will dry the flowers out.