Extend the life of your blooms - Tips and tricks from a Ringwood florist

When you receive flowers from a loved one, you want the beautiful blooms to last as long as possible. The Florist Ringwood local florist, Jumping Jonquils, understands this desire, which is why they have shared some valuable advice on how to keep your flowers long lasting and vibrant.

Check your flowers daily

It is vital to check on your flowers every day to ensure they have fresh water. Whether they are in a vase, container or floral foam, keep on eye on the water level and quality. Fresh water should also be topped up with flower food, which is usually supplied by the florist. The flower food nourishes the flower and extends its life. It also encourages buds to open and prevents bacteria growth. While flower food dramatically extends the life of your flowers, you should use it with caution. Improper use can cause more harm than good, which is why you should follow the instructions closely.

When changing the water in your vase or container, be sure to thoroughly clean it. When you refill it, use room-temperature water and mix through the correct amount of fresh flower food. Make sure you check the water for floating debris like stem parts and leaves. This unwanted debris can cause bacteria growth, which can reduce the life of the flower.

Re-cut the stems

Trimming the steams of your flower will enhance the their ability to absorb water and keep them looking fresh. You should cut ¾ - 1 inch from the bottom of the steam every few days for the best effect. Cut the steams on an angle, using a sharp knife, scissors or floral cutter. It’s important to avoid a blunt instrument, as it can smash or pierce the stems, damaging the water vessels within the stem and halting water absorption. If there are any damaged blooms of leaves that have fallen into the vase below the waterline, remove these as they can promote bacteria growth.

If your are concerned about ruining the stem placement in a vase arrangement, pull the flowers up above the vase’s edge and tie the stems with twine. Then take them out of the vase and hold the arrangement at the twine-bound point. From here, re-cut the stems and return them to the clean vase.

Display flowers in a cool place

To get the best out of your new blooms, it’s important to know where to place them. While you may want to display them in the highest traffic area of your home, you need to be aware of a few things. Firstly, the optimal temperature flowers favor is between 18 to 22 degrees. While it is difficult to control the temperature outside of your home, if you have heating or cooling, stick to these temperatures. Secondly, avoid placing your flowers in areas that cause dehydration. In the home these include direct sunlight, under ceiling fans, on top of the television, on the radiator, or beneath heating or cooling vents. Lastly, don’t place your flowers near ripening fruit. While flowers and fruit seem to go hand in hand as they are both fresh and vibrant, ripening fruit releases small amounts of ethylene gas, which can lead to premature aging of the flowers.

By following these simple guidelines, you can lengthen the life of your flowers and savior the moment. It’s unfortunate that flowers don’t last forever, but by following these tips from the local Ringwood florist, Jumping Jonquils, you can extend the joy they bring for a bit more time. For more tips and tricks about flowers, visit the Jumping Jonquils website at http://www.lilydaleflorist.com.au/.