Make your cut flowers last longer

Flowers are a sure way to put a smile on anyone's face.  But don't you wish they lasted longer than just a few days?

Alejandro Uribe, flower expert and founder of online florist Blossom & Twigs shares some top tips to make your cut flowers last more than 10 days...

Fresh is fabulous

First things first - ensure that your flowers are as fresh as possible when you get them. This is half the battle - even after they're in the vase, the freshest flowers will continue to open up and live fully until the end of their lifespan. What's more, there's an undeniable pleasure in seeing your flowers open up, watching them change in their first few days in the vase.

Type is telling

Different flowers have varied longevity, so it's worth looking at the contents of a bunch before you decide to buy. One to avoid is the iris, known to be a delicate bloom that, once cut, isn't likely to last very long. Gerberas are more resilient, making them a good, bold colour statement for your bouquet. You may have wondered why roses and lilies are so commonly used - other than the fact that they look fantastic, they have a longer than average lifespan! Best of all, though, are those flowers that you may see most commonly in a garden, where they have to face all the elements - carnations, chrysanthemums and gladiolas are strong, powerful blooms that last longest of all.

Stay cool

While they're growing, flowers need water and sunlight. After they're cut, that's not entirely true - sunlight plays a vital role in growth, not necessarily in lifespan. In fact, too much heat will restrict the absorption of water, so a hot windowsill in the midday sun may not be such a great idea. Equally, avoid putting them near radiators or fires, and even microwaves. Overnight, it's a good idea to put your flowers in the coolest part of the house to ensure they don't get too warm. You can put them back in pride of place in the morning. It's also crucial not to place your bouquet in a draught or near a door. Although in the outside world flowers are subject to wind movement all the time, once cut they'll dry out and die quicker.

Sitting in a vase is thirsty work

To maximise water absorption, put your flowers in warm water, not cold, when they arrive. Warm water is easier to absorb and will ensure that the flowers stay fresh. Be wary of adding too much water - flowers only absorb through the bottom of the stem, so only an inch or two needs to be submerged. Ideally, cut your stems across and keep them as short as you can. Shorter stems means the water doesn't have as far to travel and will make a difference in lifespan. Providing you follow these steps and position your flowers in a vase with room to breathe, they'll suck up water and keep healthy for longer.

Don't let them go hungry

You will be surprised how few people use the sachet of flower food provided with their bouquet. This is crucial to your flowers - so make sure you read the instructions and use that sachet.

Bacteria-free blooms

It's no good letting water be absorbed if it isn't clean and fresh. First things first - clean your vase. Bacteria from the surface can get into the water and contaminate it, shortening the life of your bouquet. Some modern arrangements look good in metal containers, but, with the unpredictable reactions that metal sometimes causes, this isn't recommended. Another important step is to cut off any leaves that might be submerged by your water. If these leaves are left on, they'll rot and pollute the water supply of the entire arrangement. Equally, the natural processes that occur in plants give off pollutants, so be sure to change your water. Most bouquets will come with a nutrient mix that you can add to your water and at Blossom and Twigs we'd recommend doing this with warm water to aid dilution and absorption. Some old wives' tales say that adding sugar, multivitamins and even some ‘Sprite' will help your flowers along. Surprisingly, there is some truth to these claims - sugars and vitamins added to your water supply will supplement what's created in natural processes and keep your bouquet looking great for longer.

Remove the ‘rotters'

If a few flowers die, remove them immediately and change the water in the vase. Rotting flowers give off gases that pollute the water supply to the healthy plants. This also applies to other things in the environment - don't put your flowers near a fruit bowl, for example, because fruit is in a state of gradual decay and giving off these damaging gases.

There is no reason that a fresh bouquet can't last well over ten days! By taking these simple steps, you can keep your flowers looking great. Keep them cool, give them space, help them absorb water and make sure that water is fresh.

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