How can I keep my flowers fresh for longer?

We all want our flower arrangements to stay fresh so we can enjoy them for as long as possible. Here are a few key steps for your flower care tips that’ll teach you how to keep your flowers fresh for longer:

1. Find a nice vase that will work well with your blooms and make sure it’s clean. Fill your vase with fresh water. Tepid water is the best temperature to keep your flowers in and it will ensure your flower food dissolves effectively. Add your flower food sachet provided with your arrangement to the water. As well as feeding the flowers, our flower food also helps to keep the water clean as it contains an antibacterial treatment.

2. Remove any leaves and foliage that will sit below the waterline when you place your blooms into the vase. This is to prevent a buildup of bacteria which we want to avoid at all costs as it will make your flowers go over much quicker.

3. For best results to keep your flowers fresh for longer, re-cut all of your stems. Cut your stems at a 45-degree angle to increase their surface area, which will allow your flowers to drink more. If you visualise it like a straw, more water can be drawn at a slant rather than at a flat angle to the bottom. When cutting your flower stems, we recommend varying the stem length to give your arrangement a height range.

4. Change your flower water regularly and re-cut the stems every 2-4 days, removing any wilted flowers as you go. Aside from the fact that wilted flowers don’t look as pretty, they can also spread mould to the other blooms making them wither quicker.

5. Where you keep your flowers is important. Flowers keep much longer in a cool environment, so placing them near a fireplace (if you light your fire) or on a windowsill near a radiator isn’t the best place to keep your flowers fresh for a long time. If you can keep your arrangement out of direct sunlight, away from radiators and fruit and vegetables, your flowers will last much longer.

You can always refer back to these flower care tips when you buy a fresh bouquet from Rosabel Blooms!

How can I make my own flower food at home?

Our bouquets come with pre-made cut-flower food in a sachet. However, this easy recipe to make your own flower food at home is great to have when you change the water in your vase. You will need:

- 400-500ml water

- 1 tablespoon sugar

- 1 dessertspoon vinegar.

Mix them all together and pour your home-made flower food into your vase and give them a stir to help keep your flowers fresh for longer!

You could also mix in a small drop of regular bleach to keep bacteria at bay in your vase.