Extend Their Beauty: Top Tips for Longer-Lasting Flowers from Le Mikado

There’s nothing quite like the joy a beautiful bouquet brings into your home. Those vibrant colors and delicate fragrances can instantly lift your spirits. But how do you keep that joy lasting as long as possible? At Le Mikado, we believe every bloom deserves a long and happy life! Here are our expert tips to help your cherished flowers stay fresh, vibrant, and beautiful for days, even weeks.

1. The “First Aid” Trim: A Fresh Start is Key

As soon as you receive your bouquet, the very first step is crucial. Even if they look perfect, the stems need a fresh cut.

• Why? When flowers are out of water, the ends of their stems can seal up, making it hard for them to absorb water later.

• How? Using a sharp knife or floral shears, cut about an inch off the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. Cutting at an angle increases the surface area for water absorption and prevents the stems from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase, which can also block water uptake.

• Do it often: Repeat this process every few days to keep those water pathways open.

2. The Right Home: Choose Your Vase Wisely

The vase you choose isn’t just for aesthetics; it plays a vital role in your flowers’ health.

• Cleanliness is next to godliness: Always use a thoroughly clean vase. Bacteria can quickly contaminate the water and shorten your flowers’ life. Wash with soap and hot water, or even a dilute bleach solution, and rinse well.

• Size matters: Ensure the vase is proportionate to your bouquet, providing enough space for the stems without crowding and supporting the blooms properly.

3. Quench Their Thirst: Water & Flower Food

This is perhaps the most obvious, but often overlooked in terms of quality.

• Fresh Water Daily: Flowers are thirsty! Change the water in your vase daily, or at least every other day. Stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

• The Magic of Flower Food: Don’t discard that little packet of flower food! It contains essential nutrients (sugars for energy) and a bactericide to keep the water clean. If you run out, a simple DIY solution can be made with a teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of bleach per liter of water (the sugar feeds, the bleach kills bacteria).

4. Strip the Lower Leaves:

Any foliage below the waterline is a no-go.

• Why? Leaves submerged in water will decompose quickly, creating a bacterial feast that pollutes the water and clogs the stems’ ability to absorb nutrients.

• How? Gently remove all leaves that would fall below the water level in your chosen vase.

5. Location, Location, Location:

Where you place your flowers impacts their longevity significantly.

• Avoid Direct Sunlight & Heat: Just like you, flowers don’t thrive under constant scorching sun or near heat sources (radiators, direct vents). These can dehydrate them rapidly.

• Keep Away from Fruit: Ripening fruit, especially bananas and apples, release ethylene gas. While harmless to humans, this gas accelerates the aging process in flowers, causing them to wilt and fade faster.

• Draft-Free Zone: Strong drafts can also dehydrate flowers. Choose a spot with stable room temperature.

6. Combat Wilted Blooms: A Quick Fix

If some of your flowers start to droop or look a little sad, don’t despair!

• Hydration Bath: Re-trim the stems as described in tip #1. Then, submerge the entire flower (head and stem) in a tub of cool water for 30 minutes to an hour. This can often revive tired blooms by allowing them to absorb water through their petals.

By following these simple yet effective tips from Le Mikado, you can significantly prolong the life and beauty of your bouquets, allowing you to enjoy their charm for much longer. Happy blooming!