Nothing is worse than buying cut flowers only for them to wilt quickly within days, but you can make them bloom longer with only a few simple steps.
Julian de Bosdari, a gardening expert and CEO of UK plant nursery Ashridge, has explained the key to preserving flowers is to prevent the spread of bacteria and has shared his “top tips” to help your plants keep fresh for a week or even longer.
He said: “Flowers are one of the most beloved Mother’s Day gifts, and it’s disappointing that they don’t last longer than they do.
“However, putting in the effort to take special care of cut flowers will both allow shoppers to get the best value for money and recipients to enjoy their gift for as long as they possibly can.”
The trick to making sure flowers keep is feeding them properly, and you can make a simple homemade flower feed using kitchen staples likely already in your cupboard.
READ MORE: Orchids can bloom ‘many flowers’ with gardening expert’s top care tips
How to make flowers last much longer
Feeding them properly
You will often get a small sachet of flower food along with a flower bouquet when you first buy it, so make sure you add it when you first place flowers in a vase.
Flowers will need to be fed every time you go to change the flower’s water, and you can make a simple homemade flower feed using two ingredients.
Julian said: “If you can’t get your hands on proper flower food, don’t fret. You can make a homemade solution by adding two tablespoons of sugar and two tablespoons of white vinegar to one litre of lukewarm water.”
Sugar reefs the flowers and helps nourish them while white vinegar flowers the pH level of the water which improves abortion and will also remove bacteria from the water.
Julian added: “If you pick up a pack of granulated sugar (£1.09) and distilled white vinegar (35p) from Tesco, you can make this flower food mixture for just 5p each time you replace the vase water.”
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Pick the right flowers
There are many other ways to also keep flowers fresh, and one of the “easiest” methods to get flowers to last longer is to ensure you pick a long-lasting flower variety before you even leave the supermarket.
Julian said: “Chrysanthemums, carnations and orchids are more durable varieties that can survive for several weeks and enable your loved one to enjoy their bouquet for longer.
“On the other hand, more delicate varieties, such as tulips and peonies, have a vase life of around five days, and are likely to wilt much more quickly.”
Start with a clean vase
It may seem obvious, but cleaning a vase before placing the flowers in it and then changing the vase water regularly will remove bacteria and help lengthen the lifespan of your flowers.
Julian said: “The very first thing you should do with your bouquet is make sure you have a clean vase to place them in.
“Vases with narrow openings are typically harder to clean and are prone to trapping bacteria, which can contaminate the water and cause flowers to age and decompose quicker, so aim to use a vase with a wide opening if possible.”
Make sure to never place flowers in a vase made out of plastic, as it is much more likely to harbour bacteria so always place flowers in glass or ceramic vases as it will also be much easier to clean.
Cut them properly before placing them in a case
Flowers will have to be cut by the time you purchase them, but the stems have likely healed and closed up. Freshly cutting them will help them absorb water and nutrients better and keep them, healthy.
Julian explained: “It’s important to trim half an inch off each stem at a 45-degree angle using a clean knife or pair of sharp scissors, before setting your flowers in a vase.
“Cutting the stems diagonally maximises the surface area for water absorption, allowing your flowers to stay more hydrated. Make sure to trim the stems of your flowers every couple of days to allow flowers the best chance of absorbing water.”
Keep flowers away from fruit bowls, radiators and windows
Flowers look lovely displayed on a kitchen table or countertop placing them next to fruit has drastically reduced their lifespan.
Fruits such as bananas and apples contain a natural growth hormone called ethylene gas which causes ripening and will also affect nearby plants.
Placing flowers in direct sunlight or a heated spot in the home will cause the plants to continue growing and make them deteriorate.
Julian said: “Flowers should be kept away from direct sunlight and heat sources as these can cause wilting. Direct sun and heat also prompt buds to bloom quicker, shortening the bouquet’s lifespan.
“It’s best to place your flowers in a cooler environment with plenty of indirect light rather than directly within the sun’s rays or near a radiator.
