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Wed Nov 06, 2024
Ah, flowers. They are a timeless gift appropriate for pretty much every occasion. But as timeless as they are in concept, the blooms don’t last forever. So, it stands to reason you’d want a few simple tips and tricks to keep fresh flowers fresh, longer.
There are plenty of options when it comes to improving the shelf life of your flowers. However, depending on how long you want to keep your flowers, if you plan to keep them alive or preserve them for the long term, you’re going to want some guidance.
Have no fear, Forest of Flowers is here. Our professional florists have all of the tips and tricks known to flower specialists to help you keep your bundle of blooms fresh and lively.
Listen, we’re not putting down anyone who sells flowers, ever. If anything, we think it’s awesome that there are so many options available for people who want to buy and sell flowers and bring some joy and colour into someone’s life. However, we’d be remiss if we didn’t bring up the question of your flower’s quality.
Generally speaking, most grocery stores that sell flowers don’t always have refrigeration available to keep their flowers fresh for very long. Oftentimes, flowers are bundled, cut, and put in water that is periodically changed throughout the day – hopefully, frequently, but there’s no guarantee.
Some higher-end grocery shops have proper refrigeration available to keep flowers fresher for longer, which is generally the ideal scenario. But, even having said that, they may not receive regular flower shipments the way local flower shops might.
Many flower shops (although this isn’t the case for everyone), receive regular deliveries of fresh flowers that are hand-processed each day and preserved in containers within refrigeration units.
These flowers are regularly “changed over” (re-cut, water changed, blemishes and imperfections removed) and work in a FIFO system (first in, first out). This means that flowers that have been available longer are used up first, usually in seasonal floral arrangements or bouquets that are ready to purchase in-store.
If you order something specific, you are likely to have the flowers picked from the fridge, again, following a FIFO system. However, these flowers are still likely to be fresher than the ones you receive in store, and the FIFO system ensures no blooms are going to waste. Besides, florists and floral assistants will regularly remove blooms that are spoiled, so you won’t have to worry about getting less-than-desirable blooms.
Of course, we understand accessibility is a key factor when it comes to choosing flowers. If your only viable option is picking something up from the grocery store, that’s OK! We’ll tell you how to check to see if store-bought flowers are fresh:
Smell the Flowers:
Feel the Weight:
Like any plant, flowers require preening. While you may be nervous about handling flowers (especially delicate blooms like lilies), giving them a little post-vase processing can be beneficial to keep them fresh.
Depending on where and when you bought the flowers, the steps have likely been cut already. However, every other day, it’s beneficial to cut the base of the stem to make it easier for them to absorb water and prevent spoiling. It’s best to cut stems at a diagonal angle to allow for maximum absorption. You should also change the water at the same time as you cut the stems.
Ensure that your vase isn’t sticky or grimy, so don’t be afraid to give it a good wash. Just don’t leave behind any soap residue.
Also, don’t be afraid to remove leaves that linger near the bottom of the stem. When sitting in water, many leaves can spoil, so it’s A-OK to remove them. You can gently pluck them away or even carefully use a paring knife to peel them away.
Or, if you’re too nervous to do this yourself, ask a florist to do it for you. Generally, any processed flowers should have lower leaves removed already.
If you also notice that some petals are beginning to brown or become dry/mushy but see the rest of the bloom is healthy and intact – pluck it away gently.
Any time you buy a bouquet, you generally get a small packet of plant food. Plant food can be used to help keep flowers fresher, and longer – but what do you do when you run out?
Before we touch on that, let’s break down what’s in plant food packets:
When you run out of plant food, you can make a concoction of water, sugar, vinegar, and if you have it – citric acid or lemon juice.
Here’s the actual breakdown:
Make sure this concoction is completely combined before you plop your flowers in it. Change this mixture every other day as needed.
Inevitably, flowers are not going to last forever. They will eventually run their course and cross the rainbow petal bridge onto the other side of plant life.
But just because your flowers are no longer in their prime doesn’t mean they aren’t beautiful and worth keeping. Pressing flowers is a great way to reserve the beautiful memories that came with them.
You can do this by pressing flowers between books using simple household materials like parchment paper or dry paper towels. Then, they can go into frames or even be used in epoxy projects so you can truly keep them forever.
You can also simply dry flowers, such as roses, that won’t press easily. You can do this by simply hanging flowers upside down from a high and dry place and allowing them to dehydrate naturally.
You don’t have to just set your flowers aside – now that you’ve fundamentally changed their makeup, you can use them in several applications.
Some applications where you can use dried flowers (particularly roses) include:
Flowers are more than just blooms; they’re expressions of gratitude, happiness, and compassion. At Forest of Flowers, we provide quality in combination with timeliness and care.
Whether you're celebrating life’s milestones or offering comfort in difficult moments, we have the perfect flowers for every occasion.
As Ontario’s fastest-growing florist, we’re committed to delivering field-fresh quality at affordable prices – whether you shop with us online or at one of our local flower shops across the province.
