Jason Donnelly
03.09.2024 - 17:41 / balconygardenweb.com
A vase full of fresh, bright blooms is all you need to dazzle anyone visiting your home. These can liven up the dullest spaces in a heartbeat but cost a pretty penny at the florist. So it’s natural that you want them to stay glorious and live as long as possible! While you can’t make them last forever, here is how to keep cut flowers fresh longer.
Yes, there is a proper way to take cut flowers if you want them to stay fresh longer. Snip the end of the flower stems by at least two cm at a 45-degree angle. Trimming at an angle ensures sufficient area for the stem to absorb water efficiently.
Once you cut the flowers, clean the stems and remove any residual dirt or debris. Next, remove all the lower leaves and wilted ones. Now that you have prepped the flowers, it’s time to get the vase ready. Look for one that complements the shape and size of the flowers, and of course, make sure it’s darn clean!
If your cut flowers are light and delicate, opt for a taller vase. However, you will need a shorter, sturdier vessel to support larger blooms like Gerbera daisies. Next, fill three-quarters with lukewarm water and supplement it with flower food.
Typically, commercial blooms come with food packets that help keep them fresh and curb bacterial growth due to acidity. You can always get some from the garden center or online, but it isn’t the only way!
Now that you’ve snipped it properly and sorted out the prettiest vase let’s prepare the flowers for a long shelf-life by ensuring the infrastructure is all in place.
Let’s start with the most obvious—clean water! Remember to change the water in the vase every few days to prevent it from collecting dirt. You can also rinse the container with hot water and soap and re-fill it with fresh
Chrysanthemums or mums are a must-have for autumn décor. They are perfect for pairing with pumpkins and gourds, and steal the spotlight with an explosion of blooms in fiery red, orange, and yellow hues that echo the autumn foliage. You’ll also find vibrant pink, lavender, and even white mums to dress up containers and gardens. Mums are easy to care for but require regular watering to keep them flowering for many weeks. How much water plants need and how often you should water mums varies depending on where the plant is growing. Follow these simple tips to determine when to water mums and keep them looking their best all season.
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