Thu 04 Mar 2021

Fresh flowers and what causes them to wilt prematurely

When you buy fresh flowers, it’s no secret that they will eventually perish. However, this does not mean that you should let them die before their time. The best way of keeping your blooms happy and healthy for as long as possible is by understanding the factors that cause them to perish. Here are the top three things to avoid.

Bacteria

Bacteria is not something that you can completely control and it will grow wherever the conditions are right. Bacteria is not even all that fussy about so-called perfect conditions because it is known for its resilient nature. Bacteria will start to develop and multiply in your flower vase. It does not matter what type of fresh flowers you choose, bacteria is sure to find its way onto their stems. While you cannot prevent this altogether, you can take some steps to slow it down at least. Firstly, you need to remove any lower leaves from each stem. Secondly, you should trim the stems of your flowers every few days. Finally, change the water whenever you trim the stems so that you can provide freshly cut stems with fresh water.

Dehydration

Sometimes, if your fresh flowers are the thirsty variety (like hydrangeas), the water level in the vase will drop faster than you realize. This is why you need to keep an eye on the vase water and refill as needed. If they are left without water, even for a few hours, it will shorten the life of your blooms.

Windy conditions

Daughts – both hot and cold – can have a serious negative effect on your fresh flowers. Extreme temperatures of any sort will reduce their lifespan. In addition, wind will cause petals to become dislodged and fall. Which means that your bouquet will look worse for wear in a short period of time.

It’s also worth remembering that different fresh flowers will have different lifespans. Some are known for lasting longer than others. It’s also a good idea to look for blooms that are still in bud or partial bud form. Once they are fully opened, it will not be long before they will begin to wilt.