Mother’s Day is here, and a bouquet of flowers is a popular gift choice for the special women in our lives. But while beautiful flowers can brighten up a room instantly, it’s always a shame once they start to wilt or the leaves turn brown after a few days.
Fortunately, there are some handy tips to ensure your cut flowers stay fresh for a long time – with the right care. In fact, the key is preventing bacterial growth, which will hasten its death.
We asked a gardening expert to share his top tips on how to make your Mother’s Day flowers last and stay fresh for as long as possible.
1. Choose a variety known to last longer
The first thing to check is whether the variety of flowers you are buying is known to be naturally resistant.
“For those purchasing a cut bouquet this Mother’s Day, one of the easiest ways to ensure the longevity of your flowers is to choose a naturally hardy variety,” says Julien de Bosdry, CEO of Ashridge Plant Nursery. “Chrysanthemums, carnations and orchids are hardy varieties. More that can survive several weeks and allow your loved one to enjoy their bouquet for a long time.
On the other hand, more delicate varieties, such as tulips and peonies, have a vase life of about five days, and are expected to wither much faster.”
If you love orchids, but struggle to keep them alive, check out how to care for an orchid and keep it thriving all year round. Plus, did you know you can make an orchid rebloom in 6 easy steps?
2. Be sure to use a clean glass vase
It may sound like common sense, but the condition and quality of your vase can make all the difference.
“The first thing you need to do with your bouquet is make sure you have a clean vase to place them in. Vases with narrow openings are generally harder to clean and tend to trap bacteria, which can contaminate the water and cause the flowers to age and break down faster, so aim to use a vase with A wide opening if possible.”
Additionally, the best vases to use are usually glass or ceramic, as plastic tends to encourage bacterial growth. This will lead to your beautiful flowers wilting faster. “Try to avoid using a plastic vase, as the porous material is more likely to harbor bacteria. Glass and ceramic vases provide better options, as they are not only easier to clean, but will also upgrade the look of your bouquet.”
3. Trim stems at an angle
Another essential tip to make your fresh flowers last longer is to always trim stems at an angle. This allows the flowers to absorb more water, and maintain moisture for a longer period of time.
“Cut bouquets have their stems pre-cut, but they will likely be closed by the time you purchase them. Therefore, it’s important to trim half an inch off each stem at a 45-degree angle using a clean knife or a pair of sharp scissors before placing the flowers in the vase.”
“Cutting the stems diagonally maximizes the surface area for water absorption, allowing your flowers to stay moist longer. Be sure to trim the stems of your flowers every other day to give the flowers the best chance to absorb water.”
You can also trim stems with one of the best pruning shears – just remember to learn how to sharpen pruning shears.
4. Remove the leaves of the flowers below the water line
Similarly, you will need to prune any submerged foliage. This will prevent the build-up of bacteria and keep your flowers fresh.
“Remove any leaves or petals that are submerged in vase water as they can promote bacterial growth. Bacteria can clog the stems, which blocks water absorption and shortens the life of your flowers. You can keep any healthy foliage that is above the water line, To preserve your bouquet and make it look as full as possible.”
5. Away from direct sun and away from fruits
Whether you want to place your vase on a sunny windowsill or in the kitchen, be sure to keep your fresh flowers away from direct sunlight and your fruit bowl! These things can reduce the lifespan of your flower display, causing it to quickly wilt or lose petals.
“Flowers should be kept away from direct sunlight and heat sources, as these can cause wilting. Direct sun and heat also make the buds bloom faster, shortening the lifespan of the bouquet. It is best to place your flowers in a cooler environment with lots of indirect light and not directly in rays the sun or near a radiator.”
“Also be sure to keep flowers away from the fruit bowl, as ripening fruits such as bananas and apples produce an odorless gas called ethylene, which causes flowers to age and drop petals faster.”
Also, if you want your home to smell fresh all day, check out these 7 fragrant flowers to make your home smell amazing.
6. Don’t forget to change water regularly
Along with keeping your fresh flowers out of direct sunlight, remember to change the water often. A good sign is if your clear vase is particularly cloudy or has leaves in it.
“Make sure the water in your vase is clean and change it often to remove bacteria. This should be done every other day, but you can do it every day, especially for more delicate varieties. If the vase water is visibly cloudy or has debris in it, it’s a sign that it needs to be changed them in fresh water.”
On another note, if you’re a plant parent and think you might have watered too much, check out these 5 tips for saving an overwatered plant.
7. Feed flowers with food
Finally, your fresh flowers could do with a little feeding to keep them healthy and cheerful. Feed it liquid flower food to prolong its life.
“You often get a small bag of liquid flower food with your bouquet, so be sure to add this to the water when you first put them in the vase. To extend the shelf life of the bouquet, aim to add more flower food every time you change the water.
If you can’t get your hands on suitable flower food, don’t worry. You can make a homemade solution by adding two tablespoons of sugar and two tablespoons of white vinegar to one liter of lukewarm water.”
“The sugar provides energy to feed the flowers, while the white vinegar lowers the pH of the water, which improves water absorption and helps remove bacteria from the water due to its antimicrobial properties.”
