There’s nothing quite like a fresh bouquet to brighten up your home and bring in the sunshine but keeping flowers fresh is a race against time before the pretty blooms end up in the bin
A bouquet is a lovely treat but the saddest part is when the flowers begin to wilt.
There’s nothing quite like a fresh bouquet to brighten up your home and bring in the sunshine. But keeping flowers fresh is a race against time before the pretty blooms end up in the bin.
Maryam Ghani, Brand Manager at Haute Florist, has revealed her top five tips on how to keep your stems fresher for longer – and debunks an old wives tale once and for all. She said: “I have seen some pretty inventive ways to try to keep flowers fresher for longer in my time, but there are only a few that truly work.”
The age-old wives’ tale is true when it comes to flowers. Whilst popping a penny into your vase can help your flowers last longer, you can’t just use any penny.
Before you throw a penny into your vase you need to understand its composition, pennies post-1982 primarily consist of zinc, which makes them pretty useless in helping your plants stay fresh for longer. However, pre-1982 pennies are rich in copper which will help preserve your flowers.
Maryam said: “The age-old notion of adding a penny to your vase holds merit, courtesy of copper’s inherent fungicidal properties. However, it’s imperative to discern the composition of your currency, as post-1982 pennies primarily consist of zinc, rendering them ineffective. Opt for pre-1982 counterparts, rich in copper content, for optimal preservation.”
‌The florist said: “When your flowers begin to lose their lustre, a quick trim of the stems in freshwater can work wonders. This is especially crucial for delicate tulips, which tend to continue growing in water, meaning they can wilt quicker than other flowers.”
She also recommended other ways to keep flowers fresh, she said keeping them away from fruit and the direct sunlight and radiators would help them stay fresher for longer. Ripening fruit which emits ethylene gas accelerates flowers maturing whilst harsh sunlight and sources of heat like radiators can dehydrate flowers.
It’s best to keep flowers at lower temperatures, this is how they can stay fresher longer. Maryam said: “While unconventional, keeping your blooms in a garage or the fridge overnight can be instrumental in extending the longevity of your floral ensemble.”
‌You should keep an eye on your flowers throughout, if you spot a wilting flower, Maryam says removing the flower from the bouquet is important. Removing dead flowers as quickly as possible will help the other flowers last longer.
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