Flower Care Tips

Many people are concerned about caring for freshly cut flowers properly. Whether you purchase freshly cut flowers from a florist or at a grocery store or if you receive them as a gift, simple flower care tips will help your flowers stay fresh for an extended period of time. Neglect can ruin your flowers faster than you would think possible. For example, leaving your flowers in a car in the summer without air conditioning turned off can ruin your flowers within minues. Below you will find some great flower care tips to keep your freshly cut flowers healthy and fresh for as long as possible.

Essentials for Your Flowers

Keep your flowers in a cool spot (65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit), away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, direct drafts from ceiling fans, and the tops of televisions or radiators. Appliances such as television sets give off heat, causing flowers to dehydrate.

When Your Flowers Are Arranged in Water

Keep the vase filled with water that contains floral food provided by your florist. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.
If the water in your vase becomes cloudy, replace it entirely. If possible, re-cut the stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife. Remove leaves that are below the waterline. Leaves left in the water can cause bacterial growth, thus harming the flowers.

What Is Flower Food and Why Use It?

Floral food is a combination of additives that help nourish the flowers and prevent bacteria from growing in the water. It is one of the best and easiest ways to prolong the life of your flowers. It is very important to follow the directions on the package correctly. Improperly mixed floral food can do more harm than good.

Flower Care Procedures

• Prepare a clean vase or a container to display the flowers.
• Take a package of floral preservative, or flower food, and carefully follow the instructions listed on the back.
• Use warm water (110° F or bath water temperature) to dissolve the preservative (stir the solution to make it dissolve faster).
• Remove all packaging materials from the flowers. Remove all foliage that would go below the water line (leaves and foliage in the water create bacteria). Handle the flowers with great care to avoid bruising; you should also avoid splashing water on the blooms or the buds (water droplets on the blossoms may cause spots).

• Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the stems. Flower stems should be cut under water (this may be done in a sink or large bowl; cutting the stems under water allows the flowers to draw in water rather than air). Cut at a sharp angle, 1 or 2 inches up from the tip of the stem.

• Promptly place the flowers into the vase or the container with the preservative solution and arrange them as desired. Do not place the vase in direct sunlight, near any sources of heat or cold, or in a drafty area (such conditions can reduce the life of the bouquet dramatically).
• Check the floral arrangement daily. Remove wilted buds and foliage from the arrangement, improving the appearance of the arrangement as well as prolonging the life of the bouquet. Be sure to check the water level and add some warm preservative solution to the arrangement daily.