How to Care for Cut Flowers: Tips to Keep Your Bouquet Fresh for Longer

There's nothing quite like a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers to brighten your home or office. But as much as we love their beauty and fragrance, cut flowers have a relatively short lifespan. Luckily, with a little bit of know-how, you can help extend the life of your flowers and keep them looking their best for as long as possible. We are going to share some simple tips for caring for cut flowers so that you can enjoy your blooms for days, or even weeks, longer.

• Start with a clean vase: Before you even think about putting your flowers in water, make sure your vase is clean. Any bacteria or debris in the vase can quickly cause your flowers to wilt and die. Wash your vase with hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly before filling it with fresh water.
• Cut stems at an angle: Once your vase is clean, it's time to prepare your flowers. Cut the stems at an angle using a sharp pair of scissors or floral shears. On the giftware section of our section, you will find a nice flower snip you can add to your order if you want. Cutting at an angle helps to increase the surface area of the stem, allowing the flowers to absorb more water. Make a clean cut and avoid crushing or tearing the stem.
• Remove leaves below the water line: Before placing your flowers in the vase, remove any leaves below the water line. Leaves submerged in water can rot and create bacteria, which can cause your flowers to deteriorate quickly.

• Use flower food: Along with your bouquet or vase arrangement, we provide a packet of flower food, and it's worth using it. Flower food contains a mix of nutrients, sugar, and anti-bacterial agents that can help prolong the life of your flowers. 
• Change the water frequently: To keep your flowers looking their best, it's essential to change the water in your vase every two or three days. Cutting the stems at an angle again; this will allow the fresh water to penetrate the flower's stem. Fresh water helps prevent bacteria growth and keeps your flowers hydrated. Be sure to clean your vase again before refilling it with fresh water.
• Keep flowers out of direct sunlight: While cut flowers love light, they don't love direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause your flowers to wilt and dry out quickly. Keep your flowers in a cool, shaded area to help them last longer.
• Keep flowers away from fruit: This may seem like an odd tip, but it's important. Fruits like apples and bananas produce ethylene gas, which can cause your flowers to wilt and die faster. Keep your flowers away from fruit bowls or areas where fruit ripens.

 Caring for cut flowers may seem daunting at first, but with a little effort, you can help extend the life of your blooms and keep them looking beautiful for as long as possible. Remember to start with a clean vase, cut stems at an angle, remove leaves below the water line, use flower food, change the water frequently, keep flowers out of direct sunlight, and keep flowers away from the fruit. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your flowers for days, or even weeks, longer.

 We are here to help; if you have any questions about taking care of the flowers you received from us, please don't hesitate to visit us at the store or call us. We will be happy to assist you.

 At Elderberry Floral, we take pride in caring about the flowers. As we buy directly from the growers, we can ensure the flowers have a healthy journey to your home.