According to the Society of American Florists, about 1 in every 5 Americans gift fresh flowers as part of their Valentine’s Day celebration. Here are some tips from Alexandria, Va.-based Petal’s Edge Floral Design for keeping those blooms looking fabulous for as long as possible:
- Give your flowers a fresh cut. Snipping at least one-half to one inch off the bottom of each stem will help open the flower’s vascular system that draws up water and nutrients to feed the blooms. It is also essential to place the freshly cut stems into water immediately after cutting them.
- Remove any lowers leaves or blooms that touch the water. Any leaves or blooms in the water will rot quickly and allow for bacterial growth that will cause your flowers to die prematurely.
- Feed your flowers. Add the packet of food that comes with your flowers or your own homemade food to help keep your flowers healthy and vibrant longer.
- Recut the stems and refresh the water and food. After two or three days, if your blooms still look good, you should snip the stems again and refresh the water and food.
