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How to: Make your arrangement last longer.
Two of the top questions Americans ask when purchasing flowers are "How long will they last?" and "How do I take care of them?"
From a simple single bloom, to a small bunch, to an abundant arrangement, just a little extra care can make a noticable difference in the life of your flowers. Most floral arrangements last from 4 to 7 days, depending on the types of flowers used and the type of care they receive. Here's some specific ways you can keep your flowers looking beautiful and enjoy them longer:
For fresh floral arrangements... Keep the vase filled or floral foam soaked with water containing a flower food. If the flower food solution becomes cloudy, replace it entirely. If possible, recut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife. Use warm water when adding water to the vase or refilling it. Flower food is provided with many arrangements or can be purchased at our shop.
Keep flowers in a cool spot (65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit), away from direct sunlight. Avoid heating or cooling vents, areas directly under ceiling fans, or on top of televisions or radiators. Appliances such as televisions and radiators give off heat, causing the flowers to quickly dehydrate and wilt.
For loose wrapped bunches or boxed flowers... Get your flowers into a water and a flower food solution as quickly as possible. If they cannot be placed there right away, keep them in a cool place. Fill a clean, deep vase with water and add the flower food, following the directions on the package for correct mixing of the food. Be sure your vase does not have any residue left from cleaners as those will damage the blooms; simply wash vases with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly for best results.
For all arrangements... Remove any leaves that will be below the waterline. Leaves in the water will promote bacterial growth, causing the flowers to wilt quickly.
Recut stems with a sharp knife. Do this underwater, in warm water. This allows the stems to draw in water instead of air. Then place the flowers in the vase solution you've prepared. When using woody stems and branches (such as forsythia, quince or lilac), cut the stem with sharp pruning shears.
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