So you’ve received some beautiful flowers for Valentine’s Day from your loved one, or maybe a secret admirer and you want to keep them looking at their very best for as long as possible. With these tips, you can make sure your Valentine’s bouquet lasts as long as possible.
Water appropriately to make sure that Valentine's bouquet lasts longer
Firstly don’t forget to clean the vase you will be using and allow it to dry naturally rather than using a kitchen towel to ensure there are no bacteria on the inside of the vase. Believe it or not, the amount of water you use in the vase can be decided on depending if your Valentine's flowers are woody stems or soft stems. If they are woody, such as roses, make sure the vase is fuller with about two-thirds of water. Use a little less at half of the vase if the stems are softer, such as Daffodils or Tulips. Use tepid water in the vase rather than cold tap water, or allow cold tap water to reach room temperature before placing your Valentines flowers in the vase.
Make sure that Valentine’s bouquet lasts longer by using some flower food
Once you’ve prepared your favourite vase with water it’s time to add some flower food so when you add the cut flowers they will all ready to carry on blooming beautifully. Use the flower food sachet that arrives with the flowers, as most bouquets do include a sachet or otherwise pick up some cut flower food from us to drop into the water and stir to dissolve. The ingredients in prepared flower food provide the perfect amounts needed. Generally, one sachet will be the right amount for one large vase of flowers but if you divide the bouquet and use smaller vases, remember to also divide the sachet of feed between them.
Get your Valentine’s flowers ready correctly to have it last longer
Your flower stem length needed will be dependent on the size of your vase so stand them next to your chosen vase and cut off all of the foliage that would be below the water in the case. Otherwise, the foliage will rot away under the water, increasing the chances of bacteria and also making the water dirty. Then cut the stems at the right height at a sharp and slight angle which allows more water to be drawn into the stem. Pop them straight in your vase.
Don’t forget to place your gorgeous Valentine’s bouquet somewhere you can fully enjoy it but away from radiators or drafts. Lastly, check on the flowers to replace dirty water and remove any dying or diseased foliage and stems.
For vases, plant food and accessories come into our garden centre and take your pick!
