What type of gift can be called universal? Of course, flowers! They can be an independent gift or a nice “bonus”. But no matter the occasion and the type of flowers, the question that always pops into our hands: how to keep flowers alive and beautiful for as long as possible?
Making the right choice
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If the purchased flower is initially not the freshest, no tricks will help. Therefore, it is preferable to buy the healthiest and strongest flowers you can find. If you’re in Melbourne and need to send someone a beautiful bouquet, there are plenty of great flower delivery melbourne services to choose from.
If you can, do not buy ready-made bouquets, especially those with a lot of decorative elements (big toys, paper, or glitter). Very often in this way sellers try to disguise the flaws of already wilted flowers.
It is better to pick the bouquet yourself, carefully looking at how each flower looks. Pay attention to its stalk, the lower leaves, and the cut. There should not be an unpleasant smell or rotten parts. If you are buying a large number of flowers, do not be lazy and study each one, it may well be that the seller has an old and new batch mixed up.
Make flowers last longer
So the flowers arrived safely at their destination and were presented to the happy new owner. And now it is up to them to keep the flowers beautiful and fresh for as long as possible. Even the strongest flowers can quickly wither if cared for incorrectly.
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The basic techniques for prolonging the life of cut flowers:
- Remove the lower leaves. Yes, it can seem strange to cut off good, healthy leaves. But once in the water, they can begin to rot, bacteria will develop in the vase, and eventually, it will ruin the whole flower.
- Cut the stems at an angle. At a 45-degree angle, to be exact. And, of course, only with a sharp knife or blade. Do this just before you put the flowers in the water. If you got roses, cut them under water (standing or running water), as this flower is particularly sensitive to bacteria and air bubbles.
- Place flowers in a clean vase with a wide neck. The cleaner the water, the less likely it is that bacteria will be present. And a wide neck will not squeeze the flowers, which will be beneficial to their well-being. It will be possible to distribute the bouquet of chrysanthemums, for example, over a larger area. It will probably lose its shape (if it was some kind of composition), but its beauty will last longer.
- Use hot water. Many people do the opposite and pour cold water, thinking that the flowers will be fresher this way. But this is not the case. On the contrary, the molecules of hot water (not boiling, of course) will move along the stem faster. In addition to this, if you put the flowers in a cool place they will lose less moisture. Combined, these tricks prolong the life of the flower.
- Change the water more often. It is advisable to change the water every day. The goal is, again, to prevent the development of bacteria. And if you take flowers out of the vase more often, you will be able to notice in time when some parts start to rot and take action.
- Use special preservatives. You can make them yourself. Take sweet citrus soda and bleach. Soda and water should be mixed in proportions of 1 to 3, and then put in a couple of drops of bleach. Many people claim that such a mixture is even more effective than those that are sold in stores ready-made. However, if you do not want to do it yourself, just buy one of the packets that are sold at flower shops.
- Keep the bouquet out of the sun and heat. Keep the flowers away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Heat and light can cause dehydration and withering. In a shaded, cool place, the flowers will last longer. Also, flowers do not like drafts, so if you put them next to an open window, they will quickly wither.
- Do not place the flowers near fruit. Fruit releases ethylene, which negatively affects cut flowers. So if you want to enjoy your bouquet longer, keep it away from the fruit vase.
By following these rules, you can preserve the beauty of your cut flowers for a long time. This will not only prolong your joy but also relieve the fear of flowers dying in a few days – you must agree that it is very sad if not the cheapest gift will die quickly.
The most important thing is your love and care, without them any flowers will fade. Plants love increased attention. But no matter how much tenderness you give to flowers, sooner or later you will have to say goodbye to them. The vase should be thoroughly cleaned with table vinegar and salt. After all, soon you will get new ones.