PLACE YOUR FLOWERS IN A COOL LOCATION
Placing your flowers in the path of direct sunlight will greatly shorten their vase life.
To help keep your fresh flowers alive longer in summer, we recommend keeping them in as cool a spot as possible. Avoid window sills and other areas where they'll be prone to harsh sun rays.
That said, you should also avoid putting them in places where they'll be hit by direct drafts from air-conditioners, fans, and even open windows. Drafts can cause water to evaporate faster and may even knock delicate petals about, weakening them.
KEEP FLOWERS AWAY FROM RIPENING FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
Ever wondered why putting an underripe avocado in a paper bag with some ripe bananas helps the avocado soften quicker? It's due to bananas releasing ethylene gas as they ripen, which, in turn, has a ripening effect on other fruits, vegetables, plants, and flowers in the vicinity.
Most fruits and veggies release this gas as they ripen, not just bananas. And the gas can and will cause your fresh cut flowers to wilt more quickly.
So if you've got some peaches, apples, mangoes, bananas, or other fruits sitting in a fruit bowl beside your beautiful vase of flowers, you should definitely move that vase into a safer location!
CLEAN THE VASE WATER REGULARLY
Cut flowers are a thirsty bunch. Some of the thirstiest blooms of all include dahlias, tulips, and lilies. If you want your flowers to last, never let the vase water run out, no matter what time of year it is.
Additionally, if your vase water begins to look cloudy, that indicates the presence of bacteria, which can further shorten the lifespan of your fresh cut flowers.
Wondering how to keep flower water fresh? There's no real trick to it. Just be sure to change your vase water every day or two to stop this from happening.
We also recommend mixing a sachet of flower food if available. Not only will the solution help feed your plants, but it should also slow the growth of bacteria.
TRIM THOSE STEMS REGULARLY, TOO
Each time you change the vase water, you should also remember to give your flowers a little trim off the ends.
As soon as flowers are cut, the water-absorbing structures at the base of their stems will begin to callous over and become clogged. If you don't re-trim them, the flowers won't be able to rehydrate, no matter how often you change the vase water.
Cut about two centimeters off the ends of every stem each time. Cutting at an angle will help increase the surface area for water absorption, so your blooms can stay happy and hydrated in the summer heat (and at any other time of year).
If possible, try submerging your stems in water as you snip them. This can help prevent air bubbles from forming, which can also inhibit water absorption.
REFRIGERATE YOUR FLOWERS WHEN IT GETS REALLY, REALLY HOT
Flowers last a lot longer when kept in cold storage. It's how some flowers, such as roses, are able to be shipped around the world.
In the summertime, a florist's secret weapon is her flower fridge, and a fridge can be your secret weapon, too.
If the mercury is set to climb above 30 degrees, consider popping your blooms in your fridge until the hottest part of the day has passed.
IF IN DOUBT, THROW SOME FLOWERS OUT
Not all flowers have the same vase life; some wilt a lot more quickly than others. When that happens, you might think it's time to throw the entire bouquet away. But this would be a mistake!
Instead of tossing the whole floral arrangement, simply pull out those flowers that have already wilted and keep the ones that are still beautiful.
Removing wilted flowers will also reduce bacterial growth, helping the other flowers last even longer.
SEND FRESH FLOWERS WITH CATTOFLORAL
Whether it’s for a special occasion like a Birthday, Anniversary, Valentine's Day, or for no particular occasion at all, we’re here to help you send the most beautiful fresh flowers to your loved ones.