With Mothering Sunday just days away, many shoppers will be flocking to florists to purchase flowers as a token of their appreciation.
A bouquet is one of the most popular gifts to send to loved ones, but cut flowers don’t last long, in some cases starting to die away after just a few days.
Fortunately, there are ways to ensure flowers last for a week or even longer – and it all comes down to preventing conditions that allow bacteria to flourish, according to a gardening expert.
Julian de Bosdari, CEO of plant nursery Ashridge, has compiled his top tips to prolong the lifespan of flowers and keep them looking healthy for as long as possible.
Choose a long-lasting variety
For those buying a cut bouquet for Mothering Sunday, one of the easiest ways to ensure the longevity of your flowers is to opt for a naturally long-lasting variety.
Chrysanthemums, carnations and orchids are more durable varieties that can survive for several weeks and enable your loved one to enjoy their bouquet for longer.
On the other hand, more delicate varieties, such as tulips and peonies, have a vase life of around five days, and are likely to wilt much more quickly.
Always start with a clean vase
Vases with narrow openings are typically harder to clean and are prone to trapping bacteria, which can contaminate the water and cause flowers to age and decompose quicker, so aim to use a vase with a wide opening if possible.
Avoid plastic vases – the porous material is more likely to harbour bacteria. Glass and ceramic are easier to clean, and elevate the look of the bouquet.
Trim flower stems at an angle
Cut flower bouquets have their stems pre-cut but they are likely to have closed up by the time of purchase.
Trimming half an inch off each stem at a 45° angle, using a clean knife or pair of sharp scissors, maximises the surface area for water absorption allowing flowers to stay more hydrated. Trim the stems every couple of days to allow flowers the best chance of absorbing water.
Remove foliage below the water line
Any leaves or petals submerged in vase water should be removed as they can promote bacterial growth, which can clog stems, obstruct water absorption and shorten the lifespan of flowers.
Keep any healthy foliage above the water line, to preserve the bouquet and make it look as full as possible.
Keep flowers out of sunlight and away from fruit
Flowers should be kept away from direct sunlight and heat sources as these can cause wilting. Direct sun and heat also prompt buds to bloom quicker, shortening the bouquet’s lifespan.
It’s best to place your flowers in a cooler environment with plenty of indirect light rather than directly within the sun’s rays or near a radiator.
Make sure to also keep flowers away from the fruit bowl, as ripening fruit such as bananas and apples produce an odourless gas called ethylene, which causes flowers to age and drop petals more quickly.
Change the vase water regularly
Make sure the water in the vase is clean and change it often to remove any bacteria. This should be done every two days, but daily, especially for more delicate varieties, is also possible.
If the vase water is visibly cloudy or has debris in it, this is a sign that it needs replacing.
Use nourishing flower food
If a small sachet of liquid flower food is provided with the bouquet, add this to the water. To extend the bouquet’s shelf life, add additional flower food each time the water is replaced.
A homemade solution is two tablespoons of sugar and two tablespoons of white vinegar to one litre of lukewarm water.
The sugar provides energy to nourish the flowers, while the white vinegar lowers the water’s pH, which improves water absorption and helps to remove bacteria from the water due to its antimicrobial properties.
Check on flowers often and handle them with care
Regularly check up on flowers and remove any wilting petals. This not only makes the bouquet look healthier but prevents the spread of bacteria in the vase water.
Cutting off wilting foliage also gives new buds space to bloom, resulting in a flourishing bouquet.
Though some flower varieties are highly durable, it’s a good idea to be gentle when handling a bouquet. Avoid crushing or squeezing the stems as this can cut off water uptake to the plant.
Petals are particularly delicate – treat them with care to prevent any damage and keep them looking their best.
Julian de Bosdari, CEO of Ashridge says: “Flowers are one of the most beloved Mother’s Day gifts, and it’s disappointing that they don’t last longer than they do.
“However, putting in the effort to take special care of cut flowers will both allow shoppers to get the best value for money and recipients to enjoy their gift for as long as they possibly can.
“Keeping your bouquet clean, hydrated, nourished and out of the sun will go a long way in maintaining it, and eliminating nasty bacteria from its environment can help prevent the flowers deteriorating prematurely.
“Remember, you can always press or dry your flowers once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan to preserve their beauty and hold onto the significance behind them.
“If you are put off by the fleeting nature of cut flowers, a houseplant or garden flowers can be an equally beautiful alternative that your loved one will be able to enjoy for many years.”
