How to Keep Your Flower Bouquet Fresh

Did you know that the average life expectancy of a cut flower is about 14 days? It's true! We've all seen fresh flowers being used to make decorating arrangements, flower bouquets and centerpieces. They last for a special occasion like a birthday, an anniversary or at weddings. When those occasions are over, it can be disappointing to see all the fresh flowers die. After all, they were the focus of our attention on the special day and now they're gone. But there is a way to keep those bouquets fresh for longer periods of time. You'll be glad you did! By following these tips, you can make sure your bouquet keeps its freshness for as long as possible.

1. Trim the Stems.

One of the best ways to keep your flower bouquet fresh is to trim the stems before putting them in water. The more you cut off, the fresher your flowers will last. You can trim as much as one inch, but no more than two inches from each stem.

2. Choose the right vase.

The vase you choose for your bouquet will play a huge role in keeping it fresh. There are many factors to consider when selecting a vase, including size and shape. It's important that you find a vase that fits both the size and shape of your flowers. The size of your vase should be proportional to the size of your flowers, so that there isn't too much or too little space for water to circulate around them.

You also want to make sure that your vase doesn't just contain water—it should be filled with something called "florist foam," which will help keep water from evaporating out of the bottom of the vase too quickly. Florist foam is made up of plastic beads, which act as an insulator around the flowers so they stay fresher longer.

3. Use lukewarm water, not cold or hot water, in your vase.

Using lukewarm water, not cold or hot water, in your vase is a great way to keep your bouquet fresh. Placing the flowers in water that's too hot or cold can cause the stems to wilt and may even cause the flowers to change colour.

4. Consider temperature and humidity when it comes to preserving flowers.

Flower preservation is essentially controlled dehydration. The more water that is removed from the flower, the longer they will last.

The best way to keep a bouquet fresh is to store it in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. The ideal temperature range for most flowers is between 45- and 50-degrees Fahrenheit (7 and 10 degrees Celsius). Flowers can tolerate temperatures as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) but will not last long at that temperature. The humidity should be at least 50%. If you have a humidifier nearby then that may be enough to keep your flowers fresh. If not, you may want to place them in a sealed container with a small amount of water or even just mist them with water every day.

If you live in an area where the temperature goes below freezing during winter, then you will need to bring your bouquet inside until spring arrives.

5. Remove any leaves below the waterline of your vase.

The more contact they have with the water, the faster they'll begin to rot. To make sure you get all of them, remove a few at a time and then check back later.

6. Change the water in your vase every couple of days to keep it fresh.

If you're using a florist's vase, this can be done by simply removing the flowers and adding fresh water. If you have a glass vase that is too tall for you to be able to reach the bottom easily, go ahead and remove the flowers then add fresh water to almost fill it up. Then put the bouquet back in and add more water until it reaches just below where the stems meet the vase so that they can still stand upright without being submerged.

Fresh flowers are one of life’s greatest pleasures. The colours and scents evoke a sense of pure happiness, and their pretty aesthetic is sure to brighten anyone’s day. With the right care, fresh flowers can last for weeks or even months. Following these instructions will help you extend the life of your fresh flowers so that you can enjoy their beauty for as long as possible!