Hobbies And Pastimes

Everyone of us love receiving flowers whether fresh flowers or silk flower. One of the attractions of flowers is their fleeting beauty that makes them great gifts. They are also a great way to bring warmth, joy and happiness. The only problem about fresh flowers is that they never seem to last and we usually want the blooms to last as long as possible.

If you want to make your flower arrangements, floral bouquet, or even wedding flowers and wedding flower bouquet bearing an impressive floral design to last for days or even a week longer, there are a variety of ways to prolong their life span. There are a few simple steps on how to properly care for flowers to provide you the pleasure of them lasting so much longer.

Prepare the vase for your flowers by making sure that it is very clean. Bacteria can kill the flowers by blocking the stems, preventing the flowers from taking on water. You should use a vase that is in proportion to the size and amount of flowers that you have ordered. Using an inappropriate vase could create even more water loss that you are not aware of.

You should place the flowers in lukewarm water mixed with a floral food or preservative. Getting them into lukewarm water with floral food helps destroy bacteria in the water, which in turn can prolong the life of the flowers and it will also help the flowers open faster. Flower preservatives and floral foods are available in garden centers or supermarkets.

Use a sharp knife or cutter in cutting the stems; scissors can crush the ends of the stems. You should cut the stems off at an angle about 3cm from the bottom underwater. Cutting at an angle opens up the stem and it provides a greater surface area flower can take on water. It also prevents the stem from becoming sealed against the bottom of the vase. An air bubble that gets into the veins in the stem of the flower would prevent it from getting water and nutrients; to prevent this, there is a need to cut the stems underwater.

You should remove all foliage from the lower portion of the stems of the flowers that would stand under the water line. If any of the leaves lower down the stem are submerged under water, cut them off to prevent the leaves from decaying and prevent the spread of bacteria. Also, do not overcrowd your vase, as flowers need breathing space to survive just as you do.

Never place your fresh flowers in “hot spots” such as near windows, near the heaters or other heat producing objects, as the life of your flowers will be severely effected; it can promote bacteria growth and water loss. Changing the water in the container regularly is also very important; it should be changed at least every two days. If there is a need to re-cut the stem, remember to cut it underwater.

When you receive flowers or order flowers for someone or for your home in your favorite flower shop, or flower delivery services online, remember these tips so that your flowers will last longer than ever before so you can enjoy the warmth and beauty of nature in your home. For further information, consult the local flower shop or florist in your locale.