Keep your bouquets fresh! Here are the top tips from our New Hampshire flower experts at Studley Flower Gardens.
When you give or receive a stunning bouquet of fresh flowers, the goal is always to maintain a beautiful and vibrant bouquet for as long as possible. A quick internet search will give you several recommendations for extending the beauty of your flowers, but how do you know which methods and tricks actually work?
For the best quality fresh flowers in New Hampshire, you know to visit Studley’s. For the trusted best practices to keep your bouquet fresher for longer, our floral experts can provide that, too. We will help you take the guesswork out of extending the vibrant appearance of your bouquets.
Prevent Bacteria Growth with Clean Water
When you receive or buy a bouquet with or without a vase, preparing the water is key. At Studley’s, we include a floral packet with all our bouquets and arrangements. These packets contain a formulation of chemicals designed to slow the growth of bacteria in the water. Bacteria growth in the water causes decay, shortening the vibrancy of your bouquet. By closely following the instructions on the floral packet, you will help your flowers last for a few weeks rather than just a few days.
In addition to slowing bacteria growth by using the floral packet, you should also change the water every few days. We recommend changing the water after two or three days, or more often if the water becomes cloudy. Remove any leaves lower down on the stems to prevent them from decaying in the water.
Help Your Flowers Absorb More Water
If the stems cannot absorb water, the flowers will wilt quickly. When the flowers are not in water, the stems dry out and form a hard edge, which is why we recommend recutting the ends before wrapping a bouquet or placing an arrangement in a vase. When fresh flowers are shipped to our New Hampshire store, they are refrigerated but dry. As soon as we receive the shipment, we cut the stems and place the flowers in a solution comprised of the same ingredients as the floral packets included with all our bouquets before storing them in our cooler. This process keeps the flowers fresh until you are ready to take them home.
Customers often ask us if adding sugar to the water actually makes flowers last longer. The simple answer is yes, but at a cost. Sugar does replace some of the carbohydrates that the flowers can no longer receive from photosynthesis. However, sugar also feeds bacteria. So if you choose to add sugar, you should also use another additive, such as the formulation in our floral packets. Some flowers, especially fully open blooms, will not benefit from adding sugar to the water, so if you are unsure whether this trick will help your bouquet, ask our floral experts when you make your purchase.
Place Flowers in a Cool Spot Away from Direct Sunlight
When finding a display location in your home or office, you should consider a few important elements. While the flowers need light, you should keep them out of direct sunlight. The best place is a table or side console in a well-lit room. Also, confirm that the location is away from heat sources or strong airflow.
Are you buying an arrangement in advance for an event or to give as a gift? Pop the bouquet in the fridge overnight! As long as the temperature stays above freezing (34°F to 38°F is a safe temperature range), the flowers will be fresh and ready to gift the next day.
Visit Studley’s to discover why our store is the best place to buy fresh flowers in New Hampshire! Choose from one of our professionally crafted arrangements or build your own for a personal touch.
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