Spring is busting out all over, which means fresh flowers outside and in! If you clip a few from your budding garden or on a nature walk, here are some great tips for keeping them looking fresh and fabulous even longer.
1. Think outside the vase. Use a group of smaller jars or bottles to serve as vases. This will keep the stems from getting overcrowded and moldy in one vase, plus it allows you to introduce different heights and shapes of your arrangement.
2. A teaspoon of sugar helps the medicine go down...and helps the flowers bloom too! Dissolve a half or full teaspoon of sugar (depending on the size of your container) in warm water in each vase. This will help mimic the natural chemical balance for the flowers and the height of their bloom and keep them bright and full for a longer period, and the warm water will stimulate the intake of fluids into the stem. Refresh the water and sugar every 3-4 days.
3. Trim excess leaves. Before putting them in water, trim excess leaves from the stems. Only keep those that are above the container's top.
4. Cut stems underwater at a 45-degree angle with a sharp blade. When possible, trim at least two inches from the bottom. After 3-4 days, trim the bottoms again when you refresh the water.
5. Keep flowers away from fruit. The gases emitted from fruits will speed the wilting and decaying process of your flowers.
6. Place wildflowers in the refrigerator at night to mimic the cool night air. This can extend their life for up to 5 additional days!
7. Remove dead buds and leaves daily. Flowers take cues from each other, so keep the droopy and dead pieces culled for optimum results.
{Image via Pinterest.}
A Spoonful of Sugar and Other Fresh Flower Tips
Spring is busting out all over, which means fresh flowers outside and in! If you clip a few from your budding garden or on a nature walk, here are some great tips for keeping them looking fresh and fabulous even longer.
1. Think outside the vase. Use a group of smaller jars or bottles to serve as vases. This will keep the stems from getting overcrowded and moldy in one vase, plus it allows you to introduce different heights and shapes of your arrangement.
2. A teaspoon of sugar helps the medicine go down...and helps the flowers bloom too! Dissolve a half or full teaspoon of sugar (depending on the size of your container) in warm water in each vase. This will help mimic the natural chemical balance for the flowers and the height of their bloom and keep them bright and full for a longer period, and the warm water will stimulate the intake of fluids into the stem. Refresh the water and sugar every 3-4 days.
3. Trim excess leaves. Before putting them in water, trim excess leaves from the stems. Only keep those that are above the container's top.
4. Cut stems underwater at a 45-degree angle with a sharp blade. When possible, trim at least two inches from the bottom. After 3-4 days, trim the bottoms again when you refresh the water.
5. Keep flowers away from fruit. The gases emitted from fruits will speed the wilting and decaying process of your flowers.
6. Place wildflowers in the refrigerator at night to mimic the cool night air. This can extend their life for up to 5 additional days!
7. Remove dead buds and leaves daily. Flowers take cues from each other, so keep the droopy and dead pieces culled for optimum results.
{Image via Pinterest.}