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Whether they’re from your bestie, your main squeeze or a bunch you buy for yourself, flowers are a go-to Valentine’s Day gift. And no matter what kind you get, from roses to daisies, the fresh blooms need love and attention to keep them looking their best.
“Whether you’ve already got your blooms to give to your loved one on Valentine’s Day or you’re going to be a little more last minute, taking care of flowers starts the second you buy them,” explains florist Jade Robertson.
It takes a little effort to make sure your bouquet looks fresh for as long as possible, but these hacks from the pros at Prestige Flowers can help you do it:
- Cutting - Jade advises cutting the stem of each flower at an angle about an inch and a half from the bottom. The diagonal cut increases the water the stem absorbs and gets rid of any bacteria at the bottom.
- Positioning - Flowers like to be kept at room temperature, according to these experts, so keep them far from heaters, vents and fireplaces. Sunny windows, TVs and other appliances can also give off heat, so don’t place flowers near those either.
- Water maintenance - Use that little packet of flower food that comes with the bouquet, adding it to the vase with the specified amount of water before putting the stems in. While arranging the flowers, remove leaves that are below the water line, which will help keep the water from getting cloudy. Change the water when it does start to look murky and add more flower food to help flowers look their best for as long as possible.
- Keep away from fruit - Fresh fruit and fresh flowers don’t go well together. Ripening fruit, especially bananas, release small amounts of ethylene gas, which can speed up the aging process of the flowers and make them wilt before their time, Jade explains. So keep your bouquet away from the fruit bowl to avoid premature aging.
Source: Metro