While many people still head down to their local florist for fresh flowers, there are plenty of online retailers that have flowers for sale and can deliver them right to your door. These flowers are not only fresh, but come in several varieties that you simply may not be able to find in person.
Whether you decide to put these flowers on display in a vase on the mantle or make your own DIY floral arrangements, having fresh flowers can improve the look of any home. In addition to looking good, there are several other benefits of having flowers in your home.
This includes improving your mood, helping you get closer to nature and even can help you sleep. But if you want to keep these flowers fresh and looking good, you need to care for them. This guide is going to go over some flower care tips to ensure your newly delivered flowers continue to look great.
Keep Them Cut and Trimmed
The first thing many people do when they get fresh flowers delivered is to put them in water. However, before you do that it’s a good idea to trim the edge of the stem a little. As flowers are left out of water, air begins to be drawn into the stems, which can actually block water from being absorbed.
If you simply put the flowers right in water, they may struggle to stay fresh for very long. While most florists and online flower retailers will trim it, it couldn’t hurt to do it again. As for how much you should cut off the stem, it doesn’t need to be very much. In most cases, a half-inch or so should be satisfactory.
In addition to cutting the stem when you first put the flower in a watered vase, it is a good idea to take it out and cut the stem again every now and again to ensure the flower is getting enough water for its needs.
Also, when you cut the edge of the stem, it’s a good idea to trim off the leaves on the side of the stem, too. Getting rid of these can decrease the amount of bacteria that will be in the vase water, and will simply keep the water more clear and clean. The flower will also be able to expend more of its energy on keeping the main bloom of the flower instead of trying to also keep these leaves alive.
Be Careful With the Water
As you know, water plays a very significant role in keeping flowers looking great. A flower that is lacking water will wilt, begin to brown and will die much sooner than one that is kept watered. Soon after you get the flower and trim it, you should get it into a watered vase or container.
But, while many people may simply leave their flowers in the same water for days or weeks, this isn’t the best idea. The water can get polluted and become bacteria-ridden, both of which aren’t great for your flowers. You should change out the water (and rinse out the vase) every three days or so.
Also, you want to avoid using water that is too warm or hot for your flowers. Believe it or not, this can actually cook your flowers and leave them looking less-than-perfect. Using room temperature water is fine, and maybe even a little on the cooler side.
Give Them Some Food
Just like people, having food can help flowers stay healthy and look great. Flower food is universally agreed on by experts as one of the single best ways to keep flowers alive, so don’t disregard its importance.
Most flower food consists of a couple different ingredients. They often need a type of sugar, an acid and something antibacterial. Each of these types of ingredients plays a specific role in caring for the flower. The sugar simply nourishes the flower, the acid will reduce wilting and help the flowers absorb water, and the antibacterial component will help keep bacteria from eating away at and killing the flower.
As far as what kind of sugar, acid and antibacterial are used, it can vary from recipe to recipe and everyone has their favorite combination. You can find various types of flower food to buy, but can also make your own flower food if you are so inclined. Simply mix this flower food with your water and you should enjoy flowers that last much longer.
Put Them in the Right Place
The placement of your flowers is also something important to think about. For best results, you should keep your flowers in a place that is shaded and relatively cool, and gets indirect sunlight.
If you put flowers right in direct sunlight and in places that are too warm or hot, it can speed up the deterioration process, and cooler temperatures can preserve flowers better. Also, you want to do your best to keep fresh flowers away from things like fruits and veggies, as they give off gases that can lead to flowers wilting prematurely.
Also, the actual container or vase you put the flowers in can also play a role in how well they will hold up over time. You want to avoid using a container that is too small, as it can lead to the flowers being cramped and actually squishing one another.
However, if the vase is too large, it can look bad and the arrangement simply won’t have the same visual effect and no shape will be formed whatsoever. Experiment a little and you should be able to find a size that looks good but still gives each stem enough space.
These tips are sure to keep your newly-delivered flowers in great shape and healthy for as long as possible. They are far from the only things you can do, but are certainly some of the best and should ensure your flowers continue to look amazing.
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