Few ornamental objects are better than a bouquet of flowers inside a vase inside your home. The disadvantage that it has is that they do not last too long in perfect condition, so, in days, we have to throw them away because they wilt. If you have been given one or want to place one in your home, you must offer certain care.
If you received a bouquet of roses from a special person for Valentine’s Day (for Mother’s Day or for any other occasion), you may look for ways to make that detail last as long as possible. Just as at La fleur brand there are multiple cures for the hangover, there are many theories about the best method for roses to stay fresh. We wanted to find out if any of the methods were more effective. So, we asked flower experts and conducted my own home experiment (not very scientific).
10 Simple Tips for Flowers to Last Longer
- Do not buy those in the sun. If you pick them up from your own garden, do it in the morning or at sunset. In the less sunny hours, the flowers collect more carbohydrates to stay alive.
- Leave them about two hours with the stems completely submerged in water to recover from the transfer. Another option is to put the flowers in the refrigerator for 6 hours.
- Before this, remove all the leaves that will be submerged in the water. These leaves can accelerate the deterioration of flowers and promote the proliferation of bacteria.
- As for the vase, the silver one has an antibacterial effect and keeps the fresh flowers for longer.
- Cut the stems every three days. Cut two centimeters above the base of the stem. Use pruning shears or another gardening tool.
- Avoid direct sunlight, do not expose them to drafts, or high temperatures or dry environment.
- Take them out at night to the balcony or the window. Not only will you help the plants, but also your health, since at night the plants steal oxygen from the environment and generate carbon dioxide.
- Remove damaged leaves and any leaves that fall below the water level. This will prevent the proliferation of bacteria.
- It provides mineral salts. You can do it by putting aspirin in the water or with a quarter cup of soda.
- Change the water every two days and clean the vase. Rinse the vase thoroughly and let it air dry before refilling it with flowers.
- Let’s go back to the beginning, the moment you received a bouquet with still fresh flowers. Before you even put the flowers in water, there are some things you should do.
- If you are using an old vase, wash it thoroughly because “the remnants of your previous bouquet of flowers have many bacteria. These bacteria block the flow of water into the stems, which causes your flowers to wilt faster.
- Immediately, trim between one and three centimeters of the stem diagonally with scissors or a knife. Remove any leaf or small flower that falls into the water, because those will cause accumulation of bacteria.
A Little Affectionate Care
Ideally, you should first place your flowers in water at 43 degrees Celsius (and the additives you choose) and then keep the vase in a cool place for at least two hours. This process, called “hardening” or “conditioning,” helps because warm water molecules move through the stems faster, while a cool environment minimizes water loss through the petals and leaves. Change the water at least once a week, trim the stems and add more preservatives or food each time.
Of course, even if you do everything to stop its decomposition, you could not defend them from the inevitable. So, enjoy your roses while they last.