Common mistakes when storing fresh flowers

There are few things better than being able to surprise the one you love with a beautiful and thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift. Fresh flowers are the most popular gift of all. When ordering your bouquet, it’s important to keep in mind that they will need to be stored properly if you plan on having them delivered the day before. Be careful of the following common mistakes when storing fresh blooms.

Too cold

While fresh flowers enjoy moderate to cooler temperatures, you want to make sure that your flowers don’t get too cold. One of the most common mistakes involves placing a fresh bouquet in a colder than usual space like the garage. During the day it might not seem like much of an issue. However, at night the blooms will become far too cold. When you bring them into your home, the massive change in temperature can cause them to wilt prematurely.

Hide in your car

Your car might seem like the perfect hiding spot. However, this is another one of the most common mistakes when it comes to storing fresh blooms. The temperature outside or even in your garage is not regulated, as mentioned above, and they will become far too cold.

Too hot

Just as the cold can cause your flowers to wilt, so too can the heat. As tempted as you might be to hide your bouquet in an area that is heated, you should keep it far from the actual source of heat. This means that you should keep your bouquet away from heaters, fire places and radiators.

Dehydration

It should go without saying, but flowers cannot survive without fresh water. Keep this in mind to avoid making one of the most common mistakes of all. Whether or not your bouquet comes in a vase with water, you want to make sure that you place it in fresh water while it is stored. This will ensure that they do not dry out while waiting. If you like, you can also mist the bouquet lightly to keep the petals and leaves crisp.

Improper transportation

If you plan on making your purchase from a local florist and transporting the bouquet to your home, you need to take special care. You do not simply want to place the bouquet flat on the seat of your car. When shoppers are in a hurry, this is one of the most common mistakes they make. Instead, you should set up a box or crate in your vehicle. Make sure that you take a recipient with a small amount of water if your florist is not providing a vase. You can place the flowers in a little bit of water to keep them hydrated during the trip.

Not removing the plastic

As pretty as the packaging might be, it is important to remove any plastic as soon as you arrive home with the bouquet. If you do not, it can affect the overall well-being of the bouquet. It is also important to trim the stems as soon as you arrive home or when the bouquet is delivered.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can be sure that your lucky Valentine will get to enjoy their floral gift for as long as possible. With proper treatment, these blooms can last for a couple of weeks. By this time, spring will be on its way and so you will help lift the recipient’s spirits until such time that the weather improves.