Many mums up and down the UK will have been gifted beautiful floral displays on Mothering Sunday. It’s a shame to be gifted a beautiful bouquet only for it to last half as long as you wish.
Aside from giving it the plant food typically accompanying bouquets, there are a few steps and mistakes to avoid to help your flowers look amazing even longer. Helping explain how to keep blooms fresh for as long as possible is Samantha Walker, floral product developer at M&S. The first simple tip is being mindful of the water you pop the stems in.
How to make bouquets last longer
Avoid freezing cold water
Samantha notes that tap water can be “freezing”, explaining: “This can shock the stems and lead to wilting. Instead, fill your vase with lukewarm water to help the flowers absorb water and open up.”
Don’t place near fruit
“Some fruits give off gases which can speed up the ageing process of flowers. Therefore, if you want to maximise the longevity of your arrangement, it’s a bad idea to position your flowers directly next to the fruit bowl. The most notorious culprits are tomatoes, apples, bananas and pears.”
Choose cool spots
“Every room has heat spots. These are important to consider when choosing where to display your bouquet. Of course, avoid spots near radiators or fireplaces.
“While windowsills are often the coolest area of the room, be careful which sill you choose. Even in winter, the concentrated sun in south-facing windows can be too strong for cut flowers.
“Remember also the temperature in the kitchen can amp up when you’re doing lots of cooking. So, the kitchen may not be the best place to display your bouquet either.”
Trim stems at an angle
“When you first receive your bouquet, it’s vital you trim the stems to increase hydration. Aim for a 45-degree angle to maximise surface area and encourage the stems to take in water. Cutting stems horizontally can also encourage them to sit flat on the bottom of the vase, which hinders water absorption.”
Cut woody stems twice
“Some plants that are commonly found in Valentine’s bouquets, such as roses, have woody stems. This different composition means they benefit from specialist preparation.
“When you first receive them and trim their stems, create an additional vertical cut of around 5cm through the base of the stem.”
Feed your flowers
“Most quality bouquets will come with a little sachet of flower food. Don’t forget to use this – it will help your blooms thrive for as long as possible.
“If you do misplace the flower food, it’s easy to make your own using household ingredients. Simply stir two tablespoons of lemon juice and a tablespoon of sugar into a large vase of water.”
