Interflora provides advice on making flowers last longer
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Traditionally, the rose is considered the flower of love, which is often why red roses are popular Valentine’s Day gifts. Online marketplace ManoMano saw searches for roses increase by 53 percent in January compared to the previous month, with many preparing to gift the flowers to their loved ones. The experts have shared top tips and advice on how to preserve roses for a longer period of time.
They said: “The moment a flower is cut, it stops receiving the sap that will allow it to continue growing and opening up. A good tip to make cut flowers last longer is to always choose those that have yet to open or are just beginning to open.
“This advice is also useful for flowering plants bought in pots. If the flowers are yet to open, you can enjoy their bloom at home or in the garden.”
When purchasing roses, they often come wrapped with a sachet of flower food.
ManoMano recommended removing the plastic cellophane as it prevents the flowers from breathing freely.
The experts said: “It is best to remove the plastic completely so that the flowers get all the oxygen they need.
“Help them recover from stress and use a container in which you can completely submerge the stems for a couple of hours. It doesn’t have to be the same case in which you place them in later, a bucket will do.”
When it comes to choosing a vase to place them in, ManoMano said: “It is important that the vase is very clean, with no traces of detergent.”
The vase may need to be washed out before using and placed in a position where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
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The experts added: “You don’t want the sun to shine on the flowers as this will shorten their lifespan, fill it halfway with water.”
Before placing the flowers in the vase, remove any petals that may have fallen off.
This helps to prevent rotting and the appearance of grime in the water.
ManoMano continued: “This is where the famous trick of aspirin or drops of bleach comes into play as both prevent the formation of bacteria in water, thus extending the shelf life of the bouquet.”
The stems of the flower should also be trimmed every two to three days to help them absorb the water.
This is best done diagonally with kitchen or craft scissors, squeezing the stem before cutting it.
The experts said: “Cleanliness is vital for preserving roses. Change the water in the vase daily and wash it if necessary. You may need to use a smaller vase at some point if trimming the stems makes the large one unstable.
“If not too cold, it may be worth taking the bouquet outside at night. The change in temperature will improve their oxygenation and lengthen their shelf life.
“It is equally important to remove the flowers that are getting damaged. This is because it can cause the rest of the bouquet to wilt prematurely.”
For those wanting to make their bouquet last forever, roses can be dried easily.
It is important to start the drying process when the roses are still in good condition.
ManoMano said: “Remove the water from the vase and add a centimetre of clean water. Absorption and time will take care of the rest, slowly dehydrating the flowers. They will be completely dry after a month or so.
“This is perhaps the oldest method but hang the bouquet upside down in a cool, dark place and use hairspray to keep the petals in place, letting the hairspray dry thoroughly before handling.
“Salt absorbs moisture very well, and flowers are no exception. Use coarse cooking salt in a container or tray, form a layer of a couple centimetres and place the flowers in it. Turn them over every day and let them dehydrate slowly.
“The silica gel works very quickly but you will need enough to cover the entire bouquet. The most common way to proceed is to use an airtight container in which a layer or silica beads is formed on top of which the flowers are added.
“They are then covered with more gel and left to act for a week or fortnight.”
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