Thu 23 Apr 2020

Flower care advice for different types of blooms

When you receive fresh cut blooms, it is important to take proper care of them if you want them to last more than just a few days. Below you will find some flower care advice based on flower types as well as general tips that apply to all bouquets.

Alstroemeria

These flowers are known for being particularly thirsty. When you receive your bouquet, the blooms might still be in tight bud form. However the right flower care will help them open up beautifully before your eyes. Make sure that you add fresh water and flower food to the vase or foam. Make sure that you never let the foam dry out or the vase run dry. You should also change the vase water regularly to prevent the water from becoming stagnant.

Birds of Paradise

These flowers grow in warmer climates which means that you should avoid displaying them in areas that are particularly cold. If you do not follow this flower care tip, your flowers will wither and perish prematurely.

Carnations

These are popular flowers but, despite their popularity, many people do not follow one of the most basic flower care tips. What is this tip? Well, carnations should never be displayed near fresh fruit and vegetables. Fresh fruit and veggies of several varieties are known to produce a gas called ethylene. This is a harmless gas but carnations are sensitive to it and it will cause them to perish sooner than they should.

Chrysanthemums

Another popular bloom for various occasions, it is essential that you remove any foliage along the stems if you notice the flowers drooping. In fact, many people like to remove the foliage as soon as the bouquet arrives. By doing this, you are ensuring that all nutrients from the vase water will reach the flower. If you leave too many leaves on the stem, they will get part of the food too and this will shorten the lifespan of the flower.

Freesias

These sweet-smelling blooms are a real treat for the senses. They enjoy room-temperature water and there are several blooms on each stem. An important flower care tip to remember with these blooms is that you should remove any matured blossoms from the stem. Not all flowers will perish at the same time. By removing the perished blooms as you notice them, you will keep your bouquet looking great for longer.

Hyacinths

These flowers are a real exception when it comes to flower care advice. The reason for this is that you can do more harm than good by trimming the stems incorrectly. After trimming the stems, hyacinths should be placed in a separate vase for 12 hours before they can be arranged with the rest of the blooms. A growing trend that we see today is the addition of hyacinths to vases with their roots intact. The plants are removed from the soil and the bulbs are washed off before they are added to the vase. In this instance, you will not need to trim the stems.

Roses

Roses are one of the most popular blooms of all. They have sturdy stems with abundantly beautiful blooms resting on top. Not to mention their sensational scent. When caring for roses, remember that you should always trim the stems at an angle and, while you’re at it, remove any lower leaves too. No leaves should find themselves below the waterline or you will notice fast bacterial growth and your blooms will perish sooner than they should.

General flower care advice

Apart from these specific tips discussed above, there are also some tips that apply to most, if not all, fresh cut flowers. Here are some simple tips to follow to keep flowers fresh for longer:

  • Check on the quality of the vase water daily. If you use floral foam, check it daily to make sure it isn’t too dry.
  • Top up the water as needed. Make sure that you add flower food when you do.
  • If the vase water becomes cloudy, place your blooms in a bucket of clean water while you clean the vase and refill it with fresh water and flower food.
  • Trim the stems at an angle when your bouquet arrives and do so again after several days or as soon as you notice a slimy texture around the base of the stem.
  • Choose the right spot for your flowers. Keep away from direct heat, draughts or air conditioners.
  • Remove dead or dying flowers as soon as you notice them.

There you have it! A great guide to flower care that will ensure your blooms last as long as possible. Of course, if you want a natural display that will last even longer than a fresh flower bouquet, you could always opt for a potted plant instead.