Valentine's Day is very nearly here and flowers can often make the perfect present for your loved one. And now one florist has shared top tips on how to keep your floral gifts fresher for longer.
Colourful blooms often need some love and attention themselves to make sure they last longer than a few days. According to flower delivery service Prestige Flowers, positioning is a key place to start.
Jade Robertson explains: “Whether you’ve already got your blooms to give to your loved one on Valentine’s Day, or you’re going to be a little more last minute, taking care of flowers starts the second you buy them. To make flowers last their full lifespan they need good care, but it doesn’t have to take a lot of time. By following some basic tips it’s easy to keep your foliage looking great.
"Cut flowers generally like to be kept at room temperature, which is between 18C and 22C. They don’t like heating elements, which is important to remember at this time of year when people are looking to turn radiators or portable heaters on, or light fireplaces.
“Other heat sources include sunny windowsills and next to your TV, or any appliance which gives off heat. By keeping flowers at a stable temperature, not too hot or too cold, they will grow and blossom at their natural rate, thus extending their lifespan.”
Other tips for prolonging the life of your favourite flowers include cutting the stem of each individual flower at an angle about an inch and a half above the base. The diagonal cut increases the amount of water that is absorbed in the stems and keeps them looking fresher for longer.
This also removes any bacteria in the bottom of the stem which will prolong its life which means you have longer lasting flowers. You should also add the flower food provided by the florist in the vase before filling it with the specified amount of water, which will vary depending on the type of food.
When you are arranging your flowers in your vase, remove any leaves which fall below the water line. This will help to prevent your water from becoming cloudy and keep it looking fresh.
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Jade said: “If your water does start to look cloudy, change the water and add more flower food, otherwise it’s unlikely your flowers will be getting the nutrients they need to keep them looking their best for as long as possible.”
Jade however had a more unusual warning when it comes to keeping fresh flowers in your home. The expert says you should keep blooms away from fruit.
Jade added: “Ripening fruits, and especially bananas, release small amounts of ethylene gas which can speed up the maturation process, and therefore make your flowers wilt much earlier. So it’s much better to move them away from the fruit bowl and enjoy the blooms for that bit longer.”
Prestige Flowers delivers bouquets, plants and gifts nationwide, seven days a week. Prestige Flowers have also been awarded 100/100 by the Good Shopping Guide for Ethical Flower Delivery Company.
