check your flowers daily
keep the vase, container or liner filled with fresh water. even if the container has floral foam, you should keep the water level high to promote long lasting flowers. the container's water has a fresh flower food added to it. if you completely change the water, you should also thoroughly clean the container. add fresh water mixed with a commercial fresh flower food. these flower foods may be supplied by the florist who delivered your order and they contains the correct ingredients to properly nourish the flowers, keep bacteria at bay (which can block the stems and prevent them
from absorbing water), encourage buds to open, and lengthen the life of the bouquet. it's one of the best -and easiest- ways to extend the life of your flowers, but be sure to follow the directions on the package correctly. improperly mixed flower food can actually do more harm than good. | 
Maintain clean water above floral foam
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Cut stems at an angle with a sharp knife | re-cut their stems
every few days, remove the flowers from the design and re-cut the stems. remove 3/4" to one inch from the bottom of the stem and be sure to cut the stem at an angle to allow the flower the best chance to take up
water. use a sharp knife or sharp floral cutter or scissor. avoid smashing or piercing the stems, as this can destroy the water vessels in the stem and prevent water absorption. remove any spent or damaged blooms or foliage that falls below the waterline in the vase. to avoid disturbing the stem placements in a vase arrangement, tie the stems with twine just above the vase's edge before taking them out of their vase. hold the tied arrangement at the twine-bound point to re-cut the stems. then place them back into the clean vase with the fresh water and a flower food. | change the water, add flower food
be sure to clean the vase before refilling it with room-temperature water mixed with the proper amount of fresh flower food. be sure no debris is floating in the water (such as leaves and stem parts) as this could promote the growth of bacteria which can shorten a flower's life. |  |  | display them in a cool spot
most flowers prefer temperatures between 65 to 72 degrees fahrenheit (18 to 22 degrees celsius) and are best displayed away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or on top
of televisions or radiators, which give off heat and can cause flowers to dehydrate. avoid placing fresh flowers near ripening fruit, which releases tiny amounts
of ethylene gas that can age them prematurely. |
information courtesy of Society of American Florists consumer website: www.aboutflowers.com
frequently asked questions
is light important?
yes. the more light the better, but be careful of excessive heat from direct sunlight or strong indoor lights.
is humidity important?
yes. flowers prefer a humid environment. avoid drafty spots near heating & air conditioning vents which can dry out flowers.
do cut flowers need a clean environment?
yes. the vase should be as clean as possible. always use flower food and remove any foliage below the water line to avoid bacteria growth.
is flower food important?
yes. it provides the nutrition the flowers would receive if they were still on the plant. all our flowers are placed in a flower food solution.
should I cut the stems of my flowers?
if you purchase an arrangement, it is not necessary. we’ve already done so. if you purchase loose cut flowers, cut off about 1/2” of stem with a sharp knife before placing them in your vase. when cutting stems, be sure not to strip the bark from the stem because it protects and extends the life of the flower.
how else can I prolong the life of cut flowers?
leave on as many leaves as possible, but not below the water line. and remove yellowing leaves to keep your flowers looking fresher longer.
for roses...
roses have a reputation for being delicate and short-lived. Is this true?
no. if roses are of high quality and handled properly, they actually last longer than many other flowers.if a rose is open, does that mean it’s old?
not necessarily. a closed, tight rose is no guarantee of freshness. when harvested too tight, a rose may never open. there are hundreds of varieties of roses, some open more than others, and is not indicative of freshness. how can I tell if a rose is fresh?
your best proof is to buy from a quality-oriented source that can guarantee the roses will last.
will aspirin in the vase water make roses last longer?
yes. aspirin adds acidity, which roses like. even better is sprite or any citrus flavored soft drink, which adds acidity and sugar. (use one part sprite to five parts water). however the best additive is the fresh flower food that all roses receive at petal and bean.
should I remove the leaves and thorns from roses?
yes and no. do remove any leaves that will be under water, to avoid rot. there’s no reason to remove thorns, unless they get in your way. if it’s necessary, cut only the thorn tip and do not disturb the bark of the stem.
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