FloraMamma’s Tried and Tested Flower Care Guide

Flowers are effective cheer bringers, no doubt about that. Sending them as gifts definitely delivers joy and delight to lucky recipients. But while the heartstring-tugging impact they provide lasts a lifetime, flowers in their physical nature don’t really last forever. You can enjoy them for as long as possible, though, with the proper care.

Ensure the longevity of a fresh flower gift by following these flower care guidelines.

Handling Your Newly Delivered Flowers

The minute you receive a bouquet, savor the moment.

If it came in plastic, remove it immediately to let the blooms breathe. Stick your nose right in the middle of the bouquet and get a good whiff. Take out the card, see who it is from, and feel the sender’s love stemming from the freshness, beauty, and charm of the floral ensemble. Notice the colors, the texture, the play of shapes and forms, and all the little details.

Now, it’s time to find the perfect spot for them. While looking for a vase, avoid placing the bouquet or floral arrangement near fruits, in windowsills, or a heat source.

Caring for Fresh Cut Flowers from a Bouquet

Get a clean vase and a clean, sharp knife or gardening shears. Fill the vase with clean, lukewarm water. If the bouquet comes with a packet of flower food, add it into the vase water. Re-cut each stem of flower under running water and cut at least an inch from the bottom at a 45-degree angle. Take off all the foliage that will immerse in the vase water before placing the flower stem in the vase.

Re-cut the stems every few days and remove any damaged blooms or foliage that falls below the vase’s waterline. Check the water level everyday and replenish it when necessary. Completely change the water if it becomes cloudy.

Care Tips for Self-Contained Floral Arrangements

If you received a floral gift arranged in floral foam, saturate it in water mixed with floral preservative. Display it in a cool place away from direct sunlight, drafts, and heat. Check the foam daily as you may need to replenish the water every 1-2 days.

To check, press the exposed foam gently with your finger and if you see water coming out from it, you don’t need to add water yet.

Specific Care Instructions for Blooms Requiring Special Attention

Some blooms require special care. Among them are hydrangeas that need to be trimmed daily. Hydrangeas also like fresh, warm water and thrive best with a daily water change.

On the other hand, orchid cut flowers are not the biggest fans of water so don’t treat your fresh-cut orchids like any other flower. Give it only about ¼ cup of clean H2O to sip on. Give those cut orchids a lot of natural light, too, but don’t put them under direct sunlight or on a windowsill. The best place for orchids is where there is high humidity like the bathroom.

General Flower Care Tips

With the right amount of care, you can extend the life of fresh-cut flowers. Just remember to check it daily and provide clean containers and clean, good quality water. The most important thing is to keep the bottoms of the stems clean and fresh.

Avoid displaying flowers in areas where there is excessive heat. If your place is all bright and sunny, choose a dark vase or vessel that won’t allow sunlight into the water.

But with flowers and their fleeting lifespan, you can only do so much. When they’ve reached the inevitable endpoint, remove the wilted blooms, and clean the vase thoroughly. You’d want to make sure the new ones you’ll put in will have a clean start.