You've just received some beautiful blooms. They’re gorgeous, smell heavenly and make you feel so wonderful … but all too quickly, the beautiful flowers go from amazing to a sad, floppy, mushy mess.
Here are some quick tips to help you keep your flowers going for at least five days or longer in hot and humid Singapore. (I have had some flowers go on for two weeks and beyond — it’s not inconceivable! And if you’re living in a cooler climate, you might well be enjoying your flowers for much longer than that!)
These tips stem from some key principles which I talk about in a separate post. These might help you better understand the rationale for our top tips, and even formulate your own approach to flower care that is better catered to your particular conditions! Check out my post here, or just mosey along down to our quick tips! (Or skip to the bare-bones summary if you’re in a rush.)
TIP 1: Prepare a Vase of Clean Water
This one is for you, bouquet recipients. Have this be the first thing you do, and you’ll thank me later when you find that you no longer have to struggle to keep your bouquet upright so that you don’t crush any of those lovely petals.
Choose a clean vase (make sure it is free of scum, dust, or possible leftover bits from the last dried-up bouquet) and fill it to about 2/3rd of the height of the vessel. If your flowers came with a sachet of flower food, go ahead and add that in for an extra boost.
TIP 2: Remove All Packaging
The purpose of the packaging is two-fold: for aesthetics and for protection during transportation. Good air-circulation is important in minimising the growth of mold. So as soon as you receive your flowers, remove all the packaging — the paper, plastic, cotton, etc.
If it is a bouquet, you can leave the tape or binding that holds the stems together if you would like to keep the arrangement exactly as it is. This will also make it easier for you to practice the next tip.
You might find our packaging a little different from the norm. In an effort to be more sustainable and minimise waste while keeping our flowers as fresh as possible, we choose to use the least amount of one-time-use packaging while keeping our arrangements protected and presentable. Our bouquets also come wrapped in a water bag instead of cotton. With more than enough water for the journey to you, the flowers are happier and will last longer.
If you’re new to handling our bouquets and removing them from their packaging, we have a guided how-to on our Instagram (@eryn.k.studio) highlights "FAQs & Tips".
TIP 3: Re-Cut the Flower Stems (Regularly)
Using a clean pair of sharp scissors or shears, make angled cuts of about 45 degrees to the ends of your exposed stems. Place the flowers immediately into a vase of clean water and check that all the cut ends of the stems are completely submerged in water.
Re-cut the stems every one or two days. This is vital in ensuring that the flowers continue to absorb water to stay fresh. So cut those stems! And you’ll find that your flowers stay with you for a happier, longer time.
Note: If you find re-cutting the stems every day a little too high-maintenance, here’s a tip on how to tell if your stems are still fresh and good.
TIP 4: Keep Your Water Clean
You might have begun to guess that good water flow is a main component in keeping your flowers happy. And you would be absolutely right. It has to be clean, however. To keep the build-up of bacteria at bay, change out the water in your vase every few days.
This is also why you might find some florists strongly recommending the use of flower food, as the composition includes some bleach. So yes, flower food is great, but in our experience, nothing beats having fresh water in your vase.
If you’ve made it all the way here, I congratulate you and thank you for being as interested as I am in making our flowers go the distance. Here’s a bonus tip for you!
Bonus TIP 5: Remove Dying/Rotting Flowers
Rot begets more rot. Despite doing all we can to keep our flowers happy, they are still living things, already cut off from their natural source of growth. And so, they sadly and beautifully (but that’s a conversation for another time) die. This is where you would hope to have flowers from a florist that conscientiously chooses a combination of flowers that have different vase lives so that your enjoyment is as spread out as possible. (We particularly love getting Dealer’s Choice requests, as we have the absolute freedom to help you choose the best mix of flowers!)
While a good florist helps, you would still need to do you part by bravely removing any rotting or moldy flowers as soon as you notice them. This will help slow down the spread of bacteria and decay, giving you lovely flowers for a longer time. It would also give you an excuse to play with the arrangement yourself as you adjust the flowers to your liking as the combination changes!
So next time you get flowers, try these tips, and I hope you will find a whole new world of enjoyment unlocked for you! And do let us know how these tips worked for you, or if you have other tips you’d like to share with us!
QUICK RECAP: Top Tips Summary
Prepare a vase of water (for bouquets)
Remove all packaging
Cut the stems
Keep the water clean
BONUS TIP! (in main body)
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