Want to make the most of those beautiful spring bouquets? Kate Whiting reveals seven ways to make blooms last longer
Treating yourself – or being treated to – a gorgeous bouquet of flowers is one of life’s best little pleasures, but the joy can be short-lived when you end up having to chuck them after a couple of days. Did you know though, besides emptying the little sachet of food that comes with the bunch into your vase, there is an array of tricks to help keep bouquets looking blooming marvellous?
Here are seven top tips to ward off the wilting a little longer…
SCISSOR HAPPY
Everyone who’s ever had a mum should have learned this one from her – but do you know why you chop off a bit of the flower’s stalk before it goes in the vase? Well, once your flower has been cut from its plant, air plugs up the cells in the stem which conduct water, so you should trim half an inch of the lower stem at a 45-degree angle, to open up more of the surface area, for them to absorb water quickly.
SET ’N’ STYLE
It sounds bonkers, but hairspray works on flowers the same way it does on your hairstyle – keeping them looking fresh for longer. According to Serenata Flowers, you need to take the flowers out of the vase first, then spray the undersides of the petals and hang them upside to dry, before returning them to the vase.
TURN OFF THE TV
While you might be keen to catch up with Alan Titchmarsh on the box, keep your blooms away – literally popping your flowers on top of the TV will harm them, as the heat given off from these and other electrical appliances will dehydrate them. Ideally, stand them in a cool area, where they get plenty of light – but not direct sunlight, which will wilt them.
FIZZY FEED
It’s a bit of an urban myth, but clear fizzy drinks like Sprite and 7-Up can prolong the life of your flowers, according to US scientists. Susan Han, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s plant, soil and insect science department, recommends a three-to-one ratio of water to soda, but with a couple of drops of bleach to stop bacteria from growing.
BE CLEAN
Bacteria is the biggest baddie when it comes to bouquets, so make sure you thoroughly clean out your vase before arranging a new bunch in it.
FRUIT FAST
As tempting as it is to recreate a greengrocers’ in your living room, don’t let your flowers get anywhere near the fruit bowl. The thing that bananas do to the rest of your fruit, they’ll also do to your flowers.
POP IN A PENNY
You’re bound to find one down the back of the sofa – so next time you get given a bunch of flowers, drop a penny in the vase – the copper is thought to help stop bacteria from growing.
