Caring for flowers shouldn’t stop once the design is complete. Just as crucial to your overall look and result is how you care for them after the arrangement is built. Care impacts fresh-ness and appearance and helps improve the quality and lifespan of your design. If you don’t have a strong grasp of basic flower care techniques, it will be a struggle whether you’re designing florally at work or at home.
It’s Important to Take Care of Your Flowers
Flowers are living things, and they continue to evolve after they’re cut and into the arrangement. If they don’t receive the proper care, they’ll age more quickly and will deteriorate in both strength and appearance.
Taking care of your flowers doesn’t just extend their lifespan; it’s also a way to improve your designs. Even a great flower design will not shine in all its glory if it hasn’t received proper care after being assembled.
The Freshness of Your Flowers Depends on Water
Water should be the center of how you care for your flowers. It keeps them hydrated and helps maintain the structural integrity of a design. It’s imperative that you change out the water to avoid a build-up of decay from stagnant water, and it’s also important to wash your containers to reduce the risk of bacteria affecting the longevity of your flowers.
How and When You Cut Flower Stems
The way you cut a stem affects water intake. Cutting stems on an angle increases the surface area of water the flower has access to.
It’s also vital that you change out a stem if it begins to lose strength and freshness due to the stem clogging up or the flower losing its intake capacity, as this will make a huge difference in longevity.
Removing Extra Leaves
Leaves shouldn’t sit below the water line. It’s crucial to remove leaves that will be in contact with the water, as they can degrade quickly and taint the quality of the water. Cleaning your stems improves hygiene and water quality, which helps improve flower longevity and freshness.
Temperature and Placement
Flowers are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Hot, sunny locations and drafts can decrease flower life in the same way. Placing flowers in a cool environment can help improve freshness, which makes placement an important part of care, equal to hydration and cutting.
Daily Upkeep
The best way to maintain your flowers is through daily upkeep and attention. Topping off water, discarding old petals, or refreshing an arrangement is a way to keep your flowers looking their best. Caring for flowers isn’t a one-time task; it’s an ongoing activity you need to perform.
The Take Away
Caring for your flowers requires a combination of simple habits that result in huge impacts. Understanding how to care for the hydration, cutting, and placement of your flowers will keep your designs looking beautiful for much longer. In floristry, care is a critical aspect of design. The more care you can provide, the longer you can showcase your creativity.