 | Make a fresh flower arrangement last longer by changing water daily.
Photo c.2003 Glenna Morton, About.com |
Here's how to insure that you get the longest life from an arrangement of flowers.Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Minimal Here's How: - Always keep the flower vase or container filled with fresh clean water.
- Change water daily if possible, otherwise every other day. Completely empty old water and refill immediately with fresh water.
- Place arrangements away from heat sources such as heater vents, radiators, sunny windows, stoves.
- Move flowers to a cool spot every night, either in the refrigerator, cool porch, or even to a basement.
- Remove any dying leaves or flowers daily. Replace with new plant material if possible, to keep arrangement looking full.
- For vase arrangements, remove the entire arrangement from the vase (grasp with one hand) and cut 1/2" from stems every few days. Refill vase with clean water and replace arrangement into the fresh water.
- As more flowers begin to perish in an arrangement, gather any blooms that still look good and arrange them in a smaller vase to use on a shelf or next to a bathroom sink.
- Individual blooms that look nice can often be set in a shallow bowl of water after the stem is clipped off to 1/4".
- Learn to purchase flowers in the freshest form. Examine not only the blooms, but the leaves, and stems. There should be no yellowing and no rotten areas, no wilting flowers, and no brown marks or broken petals.
- Find out about flower varieties that are longer lasting such as carnations, mini-carnations, daisies, mums, alstromeria, and others.
- Ask for advice at the florist shop. Tell them you're having a dinner in several days and need a fresh bouquet that will last as long as possible.
Tips: - Buy small bunches of flowers more often and make a number of tiny vase arrangements that are easy to refill.
- Keep water clear by pouring out the old water and refilling daily.
- Keep arrangements cool and away from hot direct sunlight.
- Keep vases clean by washing in hot soapy water and scrubbing with a bottle brush.
More How To's from your Guide To Interior Decorating
~ Glenna Morton |
