5 mistakes that kill a bouquet too early
5 mistakes that shorten a bouquet's life
Want your bouquet to stay fresh and beautiful for a long time? It only takes a few simple rules. Here are the mistakes we see most often and how to care for flowers properly.
Mistake 1 — leaving the bouquet out of a vase overnight
Wrapping or a water pouch keeps the stems moist for only a few hours. As soon as you get home, unwrap the bouquet, re-cut the stems and put the flowers in a vase of clean water.
Mistake 2 — using a vase that has not been washed
Bacteria left over from the previous bouquet multiply quickly in water and damage fresh flowers too. Wash the vase well with hot water and baking soda before use, then fill it with clean water.
Mistake 3 — not changing the water often enough
Change the water at least every one or two days. Each time, trim about a centimetre off the stems at an angle — a fresh cut helps the flowers take up water and gives the bouquet a second wind.
Mistake 4 — putting the bouquet next to a radiator or air conditioner
Hot air, draughts and a direct stream from the air conditioner dry flowers out fast. Keep the bouquet away from heating and cooling units, direct sunlight and sudden temperature changes. A cool, bright spot is best.
Mistake 5 — adding only sugar to the water
Plain sugar is not proper food for flowers — it feeds bacteria too. It is better to use the florist's flower food that comes with every AMELIE bouquet. If you have none, add a little sugar together with a few drops of white vinegar.
Three more details that matter
- Use room-temperature water — stems take up very cold water more slowly.
- Remove every leaf that sits below the water line: it rots and spoils the water quickly.
- Keep the bouquet away from fruit — ripe apples and bananas release ethylene, which makes flowers wilt sooner.
And remember: a clean vase, regularly changed water and freshly cut stems are the three habits that do most to keep a bouquet beautiful and alive.