Having flowers in the (picking) garden is one thing, being able to also keep them in a vase for a long time is often another. But why is it so? And is it as complicated as it seems? Not really, because anyone can keep a bouquet alive. As long as you apply the right tricks, of course. In this article you will learn all about keeping your bouquet fresh for longer, so you can enjoy it for an extra long time.
making a bouquet starts with a dose of common sense
There is one thing very important when you want to make a bouquet with flowers from your own garden. Common sense. Yes, because you need that if you want to give your flowers the best vase life. The idea is simple: picking flowers is great, but as soon as you cut them - preferably with sharp scissors - your flowers are, by definition, already dying. They no longer receive food or moisture from the mother plant and at that point are dependent on us. So not leaving your flowers lying around and watering them immediately is very important if you want to have a bouquet on your table for extra long.
Keep your bouquet alive longer
Although you can never really be sure of a long vase life during hot summer months (flowers wilt faster in warm temperatures), there are plenty of tips to keep your bouquet alive longer. Because there's nothing more annoying than a freshly picked bouquet that gives up after just one day. Regularly changing the water in which the flowers stand is a well-known tip, but there are more tricks to enjoy it longer.
1. Don't pick at the hottest time
Make sure you pick in the early morning or evening, not at the hottest time of day. Your flowers will see too much of it and often wilt before they are even in a vase. As a result, they won't keep as long.
2. Cut with sharp (pruning) scissors
By cutting your flowers with sharp pruning shears and not blunt scissors, you ensure that the stem and thus the absorption of water is not cut off. We want a sharp wound.
3. Let water absorb first, then arrange
If it's really hot, I first leave the flower stems in a bucket of ice-cold water for a few hours. That makes a world of difference. It leaves the flowers completely waterlogged, fresh and fruity, and therefore retains their beauty in a bouquet longer.
4. No leaves in the water
When arranging flowers, it is important to prepare them first. That is, remove all the leaves so that no leaves remain in the water. This is because they will rot and create bacteria in the water, which again is detrimental to the shelf life of your bouquet.
5. Don't put your flowers at a sunny window
It goes without saying, but is often forgotten: don't put your flowers by a sunny window. They will wilt much faster because of the sun and heat. Move the bouquet away from the window, or choose a north-facing spot.
6. Change the water regularly
By changing the water in the vase daily or every two days, you prevent the formation of algae and bacteria. As a result, your flowers will stay fresh longer. You can also add a drop of bleach or a spoonful of bicarbonate to the water to keep it clean. The flowers are not affected by this. In turn, a spoonful of granulated sugar can provide much-needed nutrition, making your flowers last longer.
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In this video I will show you what to consider if you want to make your own bouquet.
