Fresh flowers brighten up any room with their beauty and fragrance. They can also improve your mood. However, one common issue is that they tend to wilt quickly. If you struggle to keep your flowers alive, here are some tips to extend their lifespan.
Expert Tips for Flower Care
Paridhi Joshi, Assistant Vice President at FNP (formerly Ferns N Petals), shares valuable insights on how to make flowers last longer.
Use a Clean Vase: Always start with a clean vase filled with fresh, room-temperature water. Change the water every two days to prevent bacteria from growing.
Trim the Stems: Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. This helps the flowers absorb more water.
Remove Leaves Below the Waterline: Any leaves submerged in the water can contaminate it. Make sure to remove them to keep the water clean.
Use Flower Food: If your bouquet comes with a flower food packet, use it. This food provides important nutrients and helps prevent bacteria.
Find the Right Location: Keep your bouquet in a cool, shaded area. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, drafts, or near ripening fruits, which release ethylene gas and can cause flowers to wilt.
Mist the Flowers: Lightly mist the flowers with water daily, especially in dry climates. This helps keep them hydrated.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Joshi also highlighted some common mistakes that can shorten the life of flowers:
Not Changing the Water Regularly: Stale water encourages bacteria, blocking stems and preventing water absorption. Change the water every two days.
Leaving Leaves in Water: Leaves submerged in water rot quickly, contaminating it and harming the flowers. Always remove leaves that fall below the waterline.
Not Trimming the Stems: Regularly cutting the stems at an angle is crucial for better water absorption. Neglecting this can lead to quicker wilting.
Exposing Flowers to Direct Sunlight or Heat: Direct sunlight and heat sources can dehydrate flowers, causing them to wilt prematurely.
Keeping Flowers Near Ripening Fruits: Fruits emit ethylene gas, which speeds up the aging process of flowers. Keep bouquets away from ripening fruits.
Not Using Flower Food: Skipping flower food reduces essential nutrients and allows bacteria to thrive, shortening the flowers’ lifespan.
By following these tips, you can enjoy the beauty of fresh flowers for a longer time.
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