Our flower arrangements are picked on local farms and delivered fresh so you can enjoy them for longer. It can take a day or two for your flowers to open up, but it’ll be quicker if you follow our 8 tips:
1. Remove all kind of packaging to let the flowers breathe
2. Clean your vase thoroughly using tap water and any kind of soap. Any lingering bacteria will make your flowers wilt faster
3. Fill the vase two-thirds with fresh cool tap water and add your flower food that comes with the arrangement. Top up the water the day after receiving your flowers, rather than changing it completely – this way, they benefit from the food for longer
4. Remove any foliage that will sit below the waterline to avoid build-up of debris. If your flowers include roses, you may notice some discolored outer petals. These are guard petals, which protect the inner petals. Gently remove 2-3 guard petals to reveal these
5. Trim about 1-2cm from the bottom of the stems at a 45-degree angle using a pair of clean flower shears or a clean sharp knife and put your flowers in the water. Blunt scissors or dull instruments can crush the stems and prevent the flowers from properly absorbing water.
6. Change the water regularly after the second day. Just like us, flowers love clean water
7. Keep your flowers out of direct sunlight and artificial heaters to prolong their life
8. Always remove any wilted flowers. Besides not looking as attractive, they can spread mould and bacteria onto the others
How do I choose a vase?
Choose a vase that's half the height of the flowers. If the bouquet is bottom-heavy, use a narrower vase, if the top is overpowering, use a wider one. Make sure that your vase is clean before use.
How much water do I add to a vase?
Fill the vase two-thirds with water - use room temperature water as flowers can drink this more quickly. Avoid using really hot or cold water as this can shock delicate flowers. Add the flower food - this contains sugar to feed the flowers and bleach which slows the growth of algae and bacteria. Algae clogs up the stems and makes it harder for the flowers to drink. However, on a hot day, we recommend adding some ice to the water a couple hours later to prevent them from overheating and wilting too fast.
Why should I trim my flower stems?
Flower stems dry out after they have been out of water for a prolonged period of time. When trimmed and placed in a vase, after some time, the stem wound slowly begins to heal itself, much like a wound on our skin, that's why it's important to trim the stems every time we change the water.
Where should I keep my flowers?
Cut flowers last longer in cool conditions. To prevent flowers from drying out and wilting, keep them away from drafts and heat sources. Avoid placing them where they will be exposed to direct sunlight or on top of radiators. If you place them near a window, the flowers can also quickly get damaged. Top tip: keep your flowers away from the fruit bowl, especially if it contains apples or bananas. Apples and other fruit give off ethylene gas which causes flowers to deteriorate.
Can I keep flowers in their gift bag/packaging?
While a gift bag delivers a great first impression, they should be transferred to a vase as soon as possible to prolong their life.
How often should I change the water for my bouquet?
Top up the water every other day and change it immediately if you notice the water has turned cloudy. Even with flower food, bacteria eventually builds up in the vase and can clog up the stems, preventing flowers from drinking. Remove any dead or wilting stems from the arrangement, clean the vase with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly before refilling.
Let us know if you liked these tips and share them with your friends!
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