Fresh flower arrangements always get people’s attention.. well at least until they wilt. So how do floral designers keep the flowers fresh? Read the following steps to learn how to extend the life of your fresh floral arrangement.

Select flowers when they are in bud or half open. The color of the petals should be starting to show. Do not purchase buds that are too tight. They may never bloom such as Irises, Tulips, Daffodils and Roses. The bottom three florets for Gladioli should be opened and the top ones are in bud. The kelix for a Carnation should be firm and tight. The kelix is the green part beneath that keeps the flower intact.

Your container or vase must be clean and in proportion to the amount of flowers you are using in your arrangement. The leaves under the water level in your container or vase must be removed. If not, the leaves will rot and your flower life will be shortened.

Check your flowers daily:  Keep the vase, container or liner filled with fresh water. Even if the container has floral foam, you should keep the water level high to promote long lasting flowers. The container’s water has a fresh flower food added to it. If you completely change the water, you should also thoroughly clean the container. Add fresh water mixed with a commercial fresh flower food. These flower foods may be supplied by the florist who delivered your order and they contain the correct ingredients to properly nourish the flowers, keep bacteria at bay (which can block the stems and prevent them from absorbing water), encourage buds to open, and lengthen the life of the bouquet. It’s one of the best—and easiest—ways to extend the life of your flowers, but be sure to follow the directions on the package correctly. Improperly mixed flower food can actually do more harm than good.

Always give your flowers a fresh angle cut with a clean heavy duty paring knife prior to arranging. This will enable the flower to absorb water properly in the stem. Every few days, remove the flowers from the design and re-cut the stems. Remove 3/4″ to one inch from the bottom of the stem and be sure to cut the stem at an angle to allow the flower the best chance to take up water. Use a sharp knife or sharp floral cutter or scissor. Avoid smashing or piercing the stems, as this can destroy the water vessels in the stem and prevent water absorption. Remove any spent or damaged blooms or foliage that falls below the waterline in the vase.

To avoid disturbing the stem placements in a vase arrangement, tie the stems with twine just above the vase’s edge before taking them out of their vase. Hold the tied arrangement at the twine-bound point to re-cut the stems. Then place them back into the clean vase with the fresh water and a flower food.

Even though your flowers are fresh, add flower preservatives to your water in your container or vase. Remember to change the water and flower preservatives every two or three days or when the water is not clear.

Spray your finished arrangement over the sink or outside with clear water to provide some humidity for your arrangement.

Heat will wilt your arrangement. Excessive heat either natural from the sun light or artificial from the heater will dehydrate the flowers. A cool environment will make your flowers last longer.
 

Take care of your flowers.