Top 10 care tips for flowers

These are the top ten things to remember when buying cut flowers for your home or a special occasion:

• When buying your cut flowers, ensure they are wrapped securely for protection when travelling and, if they are to be out of water for a long time, get the stems wrapped in damp tissue.
• Buy flowers from a reputable outlet, and choose blooms with firm petals or with buds that show a degree of colour to ensure the flowers will develop fully.
• Use lukewarm water for cut flowers as there is less oxygen in it, and it helps prevent air bubbles in the stem that will block water uptake. The only exception to this is spring bulb flowers like daffodils and tulips which prefer cold water
• Make sure that you thoroughly clean your vases as any bacteria that are left inside will kill your flowers.
• Cut stems at an angle as this gives the stem a bigger area to take up more water, and stops it resting on the bottom of the vase and sealing itself
• Strip all leaves below the water level as they can’t take in sunlight and oxygen underwater
• Avoid direct sunlight, heat, or draughts which can wilt your cut flower prematurely
• Keep your cut flowers away from fruit as this causes them to wilt faster
• Remove faded or dead flowers as they occur in order to keep the rest of the flowers healthy
• Refresh the water regularly and add proper flower food as required