Vase flowers – how long can they go without water

When you receive a fresh bouquet of vase flowers, you will want to take all the necessary steps to ensure that they stay beautiful for as long as possible. The key is to make sure that you understand how long they can last without water and what they will need as soon as they are delivered. Here’s what you need to know.

Water needs explained

Different flowers have different needs. This is true when the flowers are still growing on the plants as well as when they are cut. All flowers will begin to deteriorate once they are cut from the plant. However, this rate of deterioration differs from flower to flower. Poppies, for instance, last only about an hour once cut from the plant if they are not placed in water right away. Roses, on the other hand, can last several hours without water before they start showing signs of deterioration.

Refrigerate

If you want to extend the life of your vase flowers, you can place them in the fridge overnight. By refrigerating your bouquet, you can help extend its life by as much as four days. Since the water in the vase will become chilled along with the blooms, you may want to change the water once you put the blooms on display. Warmer water is easier for your flowers to absorb.

Keep out of the light

Direct sunlight can help certain plants grow. When it comes to cut vase flowers, on the other hand, sunlight can do quite the opposite. You want to place your bouquet in a safe spot out of the sun. If your flowers are without water and placed in the sun, the will wilt in a hurry. However, if you provide them with fresh water, flower food and keep them in a shaded spot, they will last so much longer.

Don’t forget that you will need to maintain your vase flowers on a regular basis. Check your vase to make sure that there is enough water for these cut stems. In addition, you need to inspect the quality of the water and check the stems. If you notice slime gathering on the bottoms of the stems, this is a sign of bacterial growth. Trim the stems to get rid of the bacteria and prevent it from killing your flowers.