Flower Care Tips: How to Make Your Fresh Blooms Last Longer
Expert Secrets from the Middlemist London Florist. There is nothing quite like the feeling of receiving a fresh bouquet or a luxury hat box. The scent, the colors, and the life they bring to a room are unparalleled. But once the flowers arrive, the most common question we get is: "How do I keep these looking fresh for as long as possible?"
While some flowers naturally last longer than others, following these professional tips from our Chessington studio can extend the life of your arrangement by days—or even a full week!
1. The "Clean Vase" Rule
Before your flowers even touch the water, make sure your vase is "surgery-clean." Bacteria is the #1 enemy of fresh stems; it clogs the "veins" of the flower and prevents it from drinking.
Pro Tip: Wash your vase with hot soapy water and a drop of bleach to kill any lingering bacteria.
2. The 45-Degree Snip
When flowers are out of water for even a few minutes, the bottom of the stem "scabs" over.
The Fix: Use sharp kitchen scissors or garden shears to cut about 2cm off the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle.
Why? This increases the surface area for the flower to drink and prevents the stem from sitting flat against the bottom of the vase, which would block water intake.
3. Foliage Below the Waterline? Remove It!
Any leaves submerged in the vase water will rot. This creates a breeding ground for bacteria, which will wilt your flowers prematurely.
Action: Strip away any greenery that falls below the water level. Your water should remain crystal clear.
4. Hydration & "Flower Food"
That little sachet attached to your Middlemist bouquet isn't just for show! It contains a mix of sugar (to feed the blooms), bleach (to kill bacteria), and citric acid (to adjust the pH of the water).
The Secret: Change the water completely every 2 days. Don't just top it up—empty it, rinse the vase, and re-cut the stems slightly.
5. Location, Location, Location
Where you place your flowers is just as important as how you water them.
Keep Cool: Avoid direct sunlight, radiators, or drafts. Flowers prefer a cool, shaded spot.
The Fruit Bowl Factor: Never place flowers near a fruit bowl! Ripening fruit (especially apples and bananas) releases ethylene gas, which acts like a "wilting hormone" for flowers.
6. Special Care for Hat Boxes
If you’ve received one of our Signature Hat Boxes, the care is slightly different. Don't pull them out! These are arranged in professional floral foam.
To Water: Simply pour a small cup of water into the center of the arrangement every 2 days to keep the foam damp.
Enjoy the Beauty
By following these simple steps, you can turn a 5-day bouquet into a 10-day masterpiece.
Ready for a fresh delivery? Browse our latest seasonal collections and bring some color into your home today.
