Preventative Measures to Care for Fresh Flowers:

Keeping Your Blooms Beautiful

1. Start with Fresh, Quality Flowers
The longevity of your floral arrangement begins with the quality of the flowers you choose. When purchasing or picking fresh flowers, look for blooms that are just starting to open, with firm petals and healthy, green leaves. Avoid flowers with browning edges, drooping petals, or yellowing leaves, as these are signs that the flowers are already past their prime.

2. Prepare Your Vase and Water Properly
Before placing your flowers in a vase, ensure that it is clean and free from any residue that could harbor bacteria. Use warm water to rinse the vase, as this helps to kill any lingering bacteria. Fill the vase with fresh, room-temperature water, as cold water can shock the flowers and reduce their lifespan.

To prevent the growth of bacteria in the water, which can lead to wilting and decay, add a small amount of flower food or a homemade solution of sugar and bleach. The sugar provides nutrients to the flowers, while the bleach helps to keep the water clean.

3. Trim the Stems Correctly
Proper stem trimming is crucial for ensuring that your flowers can absorb water effectively. Use a sharp pair of scissors or a floral knife to cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. This increases the surface area for water absorption and prevents the stems from sitting flat against the bottom of the vase, which can block water uptake.

It's also important to trim about an inch off the bottom of each stem before placing the flowers in water. If the stems were out of water for any length of time, they may have sealed over, which could hinder their ability to take up water.

4. Remove Excess Leaves
Leaves that sit below the waterline in the vase can quickly rot and introduce bacteria into the water, shortening the life of your flowers. Before arranging your flowers, remove any leaves from the lower part of the stems that would be submerged in water. This simple step can significantly extend the freshness of your arrangement.

5. Keep Flowers in a Cool Environment
Fresh flowers are sensitive to temperature and sunlight. To prolong their life, place your arrangement in a cool, shaded area away from direct sunlight, heat sources (like radiators), and drafts. Flowers kept in a cooler environment will generally last longer than those exposed to warmth.

If possible, place your flowers in the refrigerator overnight. This practice is especially helpful for delicate blooms like roses or peonies, which thrive in cooler temperatures.

6. Change the Water Regularly
Stagnant water can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can quickly lead to wilted and decaying flowers. To prevent this, change the water in your vase every two to three days. Each time you change the water, rinse the vase and re-cut the stems to promote continued water absorption.

7. Use Flower Food or a Homemade Solution
Flower food packets that often come with purchased flowers contain a mix of nutrients, acidifiers, and antibacterial agents that help flowers last longer. If you don't have commercial flower food, you can make your own with ingredients like sugar, lemon juice, and a tiny amount of bleach. The sugar nourishes the flowers, the lemon juice lowers the water's pH (making it easier for the flowers to absorb water), and the bleach helps control bacterial growth.

8. Monitor for Wilting and Remove Dead Flowers
As time passes, some flowers in your arrangement may begin to wilt or die. Remove these flowers promptly, as they can release ethylene gas, which speeds up the aging process of the remaining blooms. Regularly check your arrangement for signs of wilting and remove any affected flowers to keep the rest looking fresh.

By following these preventative measures, you can extend the life of your fresh flowers from Now & Forever Flower Boutique and enjoy their beauty for days, if not weeks, longer. Caring for fresh flowers doesn't require much time or effort, but the results are well worth it. With proper care, your floral arrangements can remain a vibrant and delightful part of your home decor.