Fresh Flower DO's and DON'Ts
By Ashley Dyer
Looking to maximize your enjoyment of fresh flowers? Follow these do's and don'ts!
DO's
- Always use a clean vase and quality water
- Always re-cut your flowers if you are putting them into a vase for the first time.
- Replenish your water frequently (every 2-3 days)
- Trim your flowers at least a half inch every time you change the water (every 2-3 days)
- Always use sharp scissors when cutting your stems to ensure a clean cut
- Always remove the leaves below the water line
- Always check the water daily and top it up
- Remove any flowers that with time look less than pristine, as this will keep the remaining flowers looking fresh
- Always wash your vase/container very thoroughly in hot soapy water or, better yet, in the dishwasher
DON'Ts
- Never use a "homemade" substitute for flower food such as aspirin, bleach or soda pop
- Never remove all foliage from the stems
- Never place your flowers with or near fresh fruit (especially bananas and apples) or cigarette smoke as both produce ethylene gas which will shorten flower life
- Never place flowers in direct sunlight near a heat register or near any other source of excessive heat
- Never use flower food in crystal or metal containers as the acid in the flower food will react with metal (including the lead in crystal)