I'll just say it: I love flowers. If you get me a bouquet, I'll love you forever. Hell, if you get me a bunch of wildflowers, I'll probably love you forever too. With my crazy obsession for flowers, I have become the designated flower carer for my apartment, a job I'm honored to take on. In fact, arranging the flowers, trimming the stems, or changing the water has become a very therapeutic part of my usually hectic weeks. Flowers are also such an easy way to lighten up your room!
Living in The Village, I'm very spoiled to have Trader Joe's right across my building to grab flowers at my own convenience. I like to stick to my yellows, whites, and greens mainly so they compliment the hideous bright green walls in my room. My favorite vases are mason jars not only because of how aesthetic they look but also because you can keep track of the amount of water left in the jar and how dirty the water is.
Last month, I had a vase of flowers that stayed fresh for at least three weeks, so suddenly, I'm feeling validated to be an expert florist.
Here are some tips I have accumulated over the years:
1. Cut stems diagonally.
This helps the bloom absorb more water and look fresh for longer!
2. Make sure the stems are submerged in water when you cut them.
Similar to item one, this also helps the flower get more water quicker as it's being cut. If you cut it while exposed to air, it's more likely to get dehydrated faster.
3. Clean your vase like you would clean your dishes.
Bacteria can build up in your flower vases, which can lead to blooms drying up faster. By cleaning the vases, you're preventing bacteria growth and making sure your blooms stay fresh longer!
4. Remove leaves below the water line.
This helps prevent the leaves rotting in the water and creating an environment where bacteria can thrive and kill your blooms faster.
5. Invest in flower food.
When you buy flowers from Trader Joe's, it usually comes with a packet of flower food. If not, I'm sure you can find it online for not too much. Make sure you use this because it maximizes the vase life of a bouquet by giving it energy, killing bacteria, and helping water travel faster up the stems!
6. Fridge your arrangement.
If you have fridge space, try popping your blooms in it overnight. Flowers are known to thrive in cooler environments so putting them in your fridge might help extend their vase life. Also, remember to keep them out of direct sunlight!
Have you tried any of these tips? Let me know how they go!
