tips for making flowers last
Fresh flowers are such a treat, aren’t they? Every now and then (like last week), I will order an arrangement “just because”.
When I make this type of investment, however, it’s important to get my money’s worth. So here are a few tips from my friend, Kim, head floral designer at Emily Joubert Home & Garden:
1. Buy your arrangements from a reputable florist. Top designers like those at Emily Joubert visit the flower market 2-3 times a week. They also develop excellent relationships with the major floral buyers so they get flowers “fresh off the farm or plane” rather than select from buckets on the floor.
2. Aim for free form arrangements rather than those dependent upon floral foam. High end floral designers strip all lower leaves from stems so the water doesn’t get unnecessarily tarnished. Really clean water is essential for fresh flowers. To change the water without disturbing the design, place the container in a sink and carefully run water through it until most of the old water is swapped out.
3. Try to keep your arrangements out of the sun (or warm areas) as much as possible. For example, if you are having a backyard party, keep the flowers in the refrigerator until just before your first guest shows up. I have gotten into the habit of refrigerating my flower arrangements each night to help them last longer.
Take another look at the photo above, it was taken about 30 minutes ago – and this display is a week old today. I can usually make my arrangements last from 10 days to 2 weeks!
4. Selecting the right flowers for an arrangement can have a big impact on its longevity. For example, Kim chose to add hydrangeas because of their unique ability to drink from both the bottom and the top. This means you can give them additional hydration via direct misting.
5. It’s important to re-cut stems from time to time, too. Certain flowers, like hydrangeas, form a seal when they’re cut. This diminishes the amount of water that can travel up the stem. Roses and other soft, gardeny flowers will also benefit from having their stems re-cut. Note: this does not apply to tropical flowers, such as ginger; they hold up longer naturally.
To keep your arrangement looking its best, check it daily and remove any sad or wilting flowers. This will give you a chance to play “floral designer” as you slowly compact your bouquet.
Re. recutting rose stems…..it’s important to do this because an air bubble will actuallly form once it’s cut. Ever see roses with "bent necks?" lack of water going up the cane is the typical culprit. To get more mileage out of your roses, recut the stem *under water*. (I fill up a small tupperware container, stick the bottom of the stem in it, and cut the stem under the surface of the water.) Voila. You’ll definitely get a lot more life out of your blooms!
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