Our customers often ask us for flower care suggestions and assistance, but the one question that, without a doubt, we hear the most is “how can I make fresh flowers live longer in the hot summer weather?” Following a few simple measures for both oasis-secured arrangements and hand-tied bouquets will allow you to enjoy your flowers regardless of the weather.
A critical component in ensuring your fresh flowers last well is to always buy from a professional florist with experienced knowledge and, of course, regular deliveries. SophyCrownFlowers.ie gets delivery throughout the week, often two from our wholesalers and three or more direct from Holland. They are shipped in chilled containers, which means that the flowers we sell are always in optimum condition and never more than 2-3 days old.
Everyone enjoys having fresh flowers in their home, but it can be a real shame when that bouquet you received from your significant other starts to wilt after just a few days. It’s much more difficult to keep your flowers looking cheerful and healthy when the weather is hot — especially without central air conditioning.
How long do fresh flowers last?
Most florists believe that, depending on the kind, flowers should survive 7–10 days after purchasing. In excessive heat, this drops significantly, but with a little additional care, you should be able to enjoy them for at least a week. Our flowers are kept cold during the summer to ensure maximum freshness, so if you visit our shop and don’t see what you want, be sure to inquire.
So, how long can flowers endure without water? What’s the optimal atmosphere for your fave bouquets? Just how much flower nourishment do you actually require? Below, we address these questions and more to help you offer the best care possible for your flowers:
Put cut flowers in the refrigerator
Nobody is marvelling at the beauty of your bouquets overnight, so stick them in the refrigerator! Like placing your fruits and veggies in the fridge keeps them fresher longer, the same goes for your flowers. Consider this: Florists commonly use huge refrigerators to preserve their flowers, so why shouldn’t you do the same? To keep your bouquet as fresh as a non-treated bouquet for four days longer, clear some space in your fridge.
Know Your Flowers’ Water Needs
Always use extremely clean vases, scrubbing with hot soapy water and bleach after each use. Flowers that have been out of water for a while will need to be pruned. Simply remove around 2 cm from the base of each stem, ideally diagonally, to enhance surface area. Don’t forget to remove any broken stems or leaves that will be below the water line before you fill the vase about two-thirds of the way full.
Not sure how long flowers can survive without water? Understanding the demands of your individual flower kind might give you a better sense of how long you can walk about with that bouquet you picked up from your local florist. Most flowers lose their beauty as soon as they’re cut, but some hold up better outside of a vase than others, according to Hunker magazine. A cut poppy, for example, may barely last an hour in water if it is not immediately submerged. How long can you go without watering your flowers before they die? A few hours without water is all that’s needed, according to the source, although there are other environmental elements to consider.
On-going routine upkeep
- Remove all wilting stems and dead leaves and buds.
- Completely change the water, or top up if this is not possible.
- Every few days, re-trim stems and remove any leaves below the water line.
- After three days, replace the plant food with something new.
- Eventually, you can reduce the size of the vase by transferring the remaining flowers.
Drop a Penny in the Flower Vase
Copper is a known antibacterial agent, and the bacteria that multiply in the water is a factor to the disintegration of cut flowers. Simply putting a dime in the vase protects the flowers from some of the bacteria, keeping them fresh for longer. Using this technique and a refrigerator will keep your flowers fresher for longer.
Cut Flowers Shouldn’t Be Left in the Sun
Avoid hot spots like radiators or kitchens when displaying flowers for the best results. The optimal spot for a dining or living room table is in the centre of the room. In spite of the fact that they are common, windowsills limit the flower’s lifespan because of the fluctuating temperatures and sunlight levels, which can lead to the stems actually “poaching” in warm water. Keep flowers away from any heat source, especially in the kitchen, and away from fruit bowls. Ripening fruits such as bananas and apples give off ethylene gas, which in turn speeds up the degeneration of flowers.
While your flowers need a small bit of sunlight, we tend to overestimate how much is necessary. They aren’t actively developing anymore, so sunlight isn’t as useful as it is when the blooms are still rooted in the ground. When you have cut flowers, their needs shift, and temperature becomes a much bigger influence. Placing your flowers on a windowsill in direct sunshine, for example, will cause them to become quite warm. It’s also a good idea to keep your bouquet out of direct sunlight and away from fruit on your counter, both of which generate gases that might cause some flowers to wilt more quickly than others.
Please Don’t Throw Away Your Cut Flowers!
Something as basic as cutting the stems every couple of days can go a long way. This pulls off the withering ends of the flowers, so they can absorb more water. Cut them in half diagonally.
In addition, you should replace the water everyday or every other day, depending on the state of the flowers. For ordinary flowers, use lukewarm water; for bulb flowers, use cold water. Also, make sure to sanitise the vase after each filling. There’s a significant probability that some of the flowers in a mixed bouquet, like A Little Playful Smile, will fade faster than others. Removing any dead leaves and picking up any that have fallen into the water should be done in this scenario. Eliminating them from the bouquet will minimise the number of bacteria in the water.
Use Only Half of the Flower Food Packet.
Did you know that there are various distinct forms of floral nourishment, each with a specific role?
During shipping and being held at a shop, the primary purpose of the flower food is to keep them as fresh as possible and the buds closed, but the food that accompanies the flowers you buy has the aim of extending their life and encouraging the buds to open. All our flowers contain a sachet of flower food, but you can easily prepare your own to use for upkeep.
If your bouquet arrived with a packet of food, don’t use it all at once. Sprinkle in a little more water each time you change the container. An acidifier and bleach are usually found in this floral food. If your bouquet didn’t arrive with flower food, never fear! Use bleach, sugar and citrus juice to manufacture your own.
Making your own Flower Food
- 2 teaspoons of lemon juice.
- (Flowers want a low pH, which lemon lowers.)
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- (This gives important nutrients).
- bleach 12 teaspoon
- (Reduces bacterial and fungus growth)…
- Cooled water, around one litre
Add two teaspoons of the mixture to a vase of water and put the excess in a jar labelled “Flower Food” out of the reach of youngsters. DO NOT DRINK.
We hope that you have found these recommendations useful and that they enable you to keep your fresh flowers looking their best this summer.
Sophy Crown Flowers Dublin offers nationwide Interflora delivery along with many extra gift alternatives. If you are planning a special occasion and need some guidance, or simply want to brighten someone’s day, please get in touch by the manner you want below.
With a little care, your flowers will appear as fresh as ever, allowing you to enjoy them for far longer than you had anticipated!
