By simply following some basic guidelines for cut flower care and conditioning,
you will find they will last longer and you'll enjoy them more.
6 Easy Tips
Snip off the base of the stem
This helps maintain the water flow
up the stalk of the flower. Sometimes the stems can have air pockets
that stop the water from reaching the flower head. The stems should
be snipped at least 2cm from the base of the stem at an angle.
Keep flowers away from sun and heat
The hotter flowers get, the
faster they release water (transpire). Their life is significantly
reduced when you put them near a window or close to the heater.
Change the water
Still water can build up bacteria that blocks
the flower of water up the stem of the flower. The base of the stems
start to rot and smell stale. Fresh, pure water every few days can
prolong the life span of your flowers for up to a week.
Add preservatives
Flowers are living plant material and therefore need to be fed.
Your local florist can provide preserving mixtures when you buy
an arrangement, or you can add sugar and bleach. A dash of bleach
stops algal growth. Sugar provides energy to the flowers so they
can continue to develop. This helps them to last long enough for
buds to fully open and for the vase life of the flowers to be extended.
Flowers and fruit don’t mix
Fruit gives off a gas called ethylene.
This gas speeds up the life of any produce around it. Flowers can
rapidly deteriorate when around fruit.
Remove leaves below waterline
Any leaves sitting below the waterline can rot and block the flow
of water up the stem.
The above tips were provided thanks to Pearsons Florist.
Expert Care - Advanced Tips
One of the most frequent grumbles about fresh,
cut flowers is that 'they don’t last', yet when asked what they’ve
done to look after their flowers, many say 'nothing'!
Whilst the transient nature of flowers is part
of their charm, there are a number of little things which can be
done to help them last longer. You don’t need to be an expert -
just a bit of knowledge will make you "Master of your Bouquet!"
Expert Tips
Just as bananas and strawberries require different
care, some types of flower respond well to their own brand of T.L.C.
Try these tips for the best flowers ever!
Floppy stems: Flowers such as
tulips will soon droop. Flowers spilling out from the vase can look
effective, but if you wish to keep the flowers upright, wrap a bunch
of stems in damp newspaper and stand in water overnight.
Milky stems ooze sap, which can
form a waterproof seal and stop the flow of water up the stem. Singeing
the cut stem will help prevent the problem.
Woody stems: Slice bark from the
bottom of the stem and make a vertical slit in the base to permit
a greater water intake.
Hairy stems such as gerberas,
generally don’t like deep water. Place hairy-stemmed flowers in
water no more than 7cm deep.
Bulb flowers: Flowering bulbs
include hyacinths, daffodils and tulips. Cut away the white part
of the stem, which does not take up water effectively and cut stems
at an angle.
Wilted flowers can often be revived
by submerging the whole flower in tepid water for a few hours. Roses
and woody plants often respond to the hot water technique, where
the flower is covered with a paper bag and the stems immersed in
an inch of near-boiling water. This also targets bacteria.
With a bit of care, flowers will look better, longer.
Some flowers last particularly well as a cut bloom, including gerbera,
lisianthus, protea and chrysanthemum. Some others must be appreciated
for their fleeting beauty.
For more information on fresh, cut flowers
and the Sydney Flower Market please email info@sydneyflower.com.au
