How to keep your bouquet fresh
You’ve made or received a beautiful arrangement, now how do you keep it looking gorgeous for an extended period of time?
1. Use a clean vase.
If you received an arrangement from a florist, the vase was sanitized prior to your arrangement being created. If you are making your own from your garden or purchased flowers, make sure that any vessel you use is very clean. A dirty old vase from under the sink isn’t going to do you any favors; run it through the dishwasher or cleanse with soap and water. Most newer dishwashers have a sanitize feature, so this is the time to use it. If you don’t have a dishwasher, follow the directions on a sanitizer agent for hard, non porous surfaces.
2. Pay attention to stems.
Your florist will have already trimmed the stems and removed any leaves or foliage that could hang down in the water. If you are making your own bouquet, strip off any extra material such as leaves that will sit below the waterline and breed bacteria. Make sure your stems are trimmed for optimal water uptake.
3. Change the water.
Pay attention to the water in your vase. A good rule of thumb is to change the water every two days. If the water becomes cloudy, your bouquet is already growing bacteria – so it’s definitely time for a refresh! You can also add flower food at this time.
4. Placement.
Keep your arrangement in a cool place, out of direct sunlight. Flowers don’t like drafty areas or being close to any heat source.
5. Prune & Remove
Take out any flowers that are dead or wilted to prevent the spread of bacteria. You can also recut woody type stems every few days to keep the water going to the bloom.
6. Regular check-ups.
Keep an eye on your arrangement! Make sure to add water (those flowers are thirsty!) and make adjustments to location if needed.