Beautiful flower arrangements can work wonders. They not only beautify and brighten up your space in no time, but they can also make you feel good in a snap. It’s no surprise that—whether it’s a bouquet of heart-melting roses from a new romance, or a bunch of hydrangeas we bought ourselves to satisfy our shabby chic pleasures —we want them to stay as fresh as the day we got them for days on end.
Making cut flowers last forever is one tall order, but extending their lifespan to one or two weeks (instead of just three days) does sound like a fair deal, right? In this article, we asked the best florists in Los Angeles for expert tips on how to make bouquets last longer. Follow these easy tips and tricks.
Prep your vase
Wash it thoroughly with soap and water. Some florists even suggest using bleach to ensure you get rid of all the grime and the bad bugs left from previous arrangements. It's better if you order a floral arrangement that came with its own vase, because that's usually prepped properly at the florist's.
Don't remove the floral foam
Typically, most floral arrangements, like hand bouquets or luxe flower boxes, use floral foam, which are soaked with water to keep the ends of the flower stems hydrated. Don't take them out even if you plan to transfer them in a different vase.
In photo: Love in Full Bloom, $205
Sprinkle a bit of the flower food
Remember, the little packet of floral preservatives from your florist? Basically containing fructose as its main ingredient, this solution acts as the main source of food for the plants, thwarting the potential growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, and effectively enabling the plants to suck in more nutrition by lowering the pH of the water.
Going green? Here’s an all-natural alternative you can do by yourself. Add two tablespoons of lemon juice, one tablespoon sugar, and a quarter tablespoon of bleach in a quart of warm water. Similarly, if you don’t have a real lemon, lemon-lime sodas can also do the job, but not the diet variants, as they don’t have sufficient sugar but excessive acid, which is not advisable for cut flowers.
Know what water temperature your bouquet likes
Here’s a rule of thumb: plain, lukewarm water is generally good for almost all types of flowers. However, it's best to go for the cold if it’s a bulb flower, such as:
- Hyacinths
- Tulips
- Peonies
- Daffodils
- Calla lilies
Keep them away from direct heat to prevent them from wilting
Don’t put your floral arrangements anywhere near windows that get too much sun, heaters, fireplaces, stoves, or television sets. Moving them to the coolest place in your home at night is also effective.
Don't slack on maintenance
Always change the water and wash your vase as much as possible daily, but it’s a busy week, every two days will do. Of course, don’t forget to add in the flower food again. A little mist of water on the petals and leaves using a spray bottle every now and then won’t hurt as well. Pluck out wilted leaves or petals whenever you see one and give stems a fresh angled cut whenever possible.
SHOP CHIC FLOWERS FOR SAME-DAY DELIVERY
Orchid Republic is an upscale floral boutique that offers same-day flower delivery in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Santa Monica. We have an extensive selection of premium orchids and floral arrangements that make elegant centerpieces for your home and swoon-worthy gifts for birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and other special occasions.
Leave a comment