Most bouquets fade early for ordinary reasons: dirty water, blocked stems and too much heat. Fortunately, each of those can be fixed in a minute or two.
When the flowers arrive
- Fill a clean vase with cool water. Any leftover bacteria will shorten vase life, so wash it with soap first.
- Cut about two centimetres from each stem, at an angle, using a sharp knife or scissors.
- Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline.
Each day after that
- Change the water every two days and rinse the vase when you do.
- Keep the vase away from direct sun, air-conditioning vents and ripening fruit. Fruit gives off ethylene, which speeds up wilting.
- Take out flowers as they fade, so that they do not affect the others.
Flowers in a box
Boxed arrangements sit in floral foam instead of a vase. Add a small amount of water to the foam every other day. It should feel damp, not waterlogged.