Receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers is one of the greatest gifts anyone can get, so, naturally, we want to do anything we can to make our fabulous blooms last as long as possible. Following flower care advice you heard while growing up, or information you found on the internet could do more harm than good to your fresh blooms. The flower experts here at City Line Florist are setting the record straight for you. To keep your flowers fresh for as long as possible, we’re debunking some of the more common flower care myths we’ve come across. Keep reading to discover what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to caring for your precious blooms.
Common Flower Care Myths to Avoid
Myth #1Putting a Penny in the Bottom of the Vase Keeps Flowers from Wilting
Whether you found a lucky penny on the street or want to add some copper (a natural fungicide) into your floral vase, you may be tempted to try this flower-care myth. However, this truly is a myth. While once upon a time, copper pennies did extend the life of blooms, today this is simply not the case. Pennies are no longer comprised of copper but instead are made from zinc, which has virtually no effect on your flowers. Pennies are also crawling with germs and bacteria that could be extremely harmful to your arrangement.
Myth #2Allergy Sufferers Can’t Enjoy Flowers
Similar to the way people say they are “allergic to dogs” rather than allergic to dog dander, people who say they are “allergic to flowers” are actually allergic to airborne or loose pollen. People who suffer from allergies should steer clear of blooms like lilies, daisies, asters, and sunflowers. Flowers like hydrangeas, peonies, carnations, roses, and orchids are best for individuals with allergies as these blooms are insect-pollinated and do not contain loose pollen.
Myth #3Sugar or Lemonade Can Be Used as Flower Flood for Your Cut Stems
Sugary-sweet water will certainly create a sweet and colorful, long-lasting bloom, right?! Wrong! While sugar itself has little to no effect on the growth or lifespan of flowers, it does have an effect on the growth of germs and bacteria in the vase of fresh-cut flowers. If a vase of flowers becomes infested with gunk, the blooms will surely wilt and die prematurely.
Myth #4Removing a Rose’s Guard Petals Will Make it Die Quicker
Found around the outside of a bloom, guard petals protect the flower from bruising, tears, and other physical damage. Oftentimes, guard petals are not as pristine as the others and can carefully be removed without any repercussions or damage to the beautiful rose. When prepping the flowers for an arrangement, florists will often remove the guard petals to ensure the finished product is simply perfect.
Myth #5Fresh-Cut Flowers Prefer a Sunny Location
Placing a vase of flowers in direct sunlight has become a common, yet incorrect, way to care for floral bouquets and fresh blooms. While plants and flowers in pots of soil or gardens surely need water and direct sunlight in order to bloom and thrive, fresh-cut flowers are different. Warm sunlight encourages blooms to open nice and wide but then rapidly dries out the petals and shortens its lifespan.
Bonus MythBananas Kill Flowers
This myth is true, and it’s not just bananas! Ripening fruit, whether it be bananas, apples, oranges, kiwi, etc. emits ethylene gas. Ethylene gas can be very harmful and toxic to flowers. It won’t take long for your ripening fruit bowl to shorten the vase life of your blooms if they are placed too close together on your counter.
Forget all the old wives’ tales and internet myths about caring for flowers. The task is really quite simple. To keep your fresh-cut flowers healthy and vibrant for as long as possible, follow these simple steps:
- Remove any leaves and petals which fall below the waterline.
- Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle with each change of water.
- Change the water daily for the best results.
- Only use the packet of flower food from the florist.
- Keep flowers out of direct sunlight.
For more detailed information on how to care for flowers, visit our Flower Care Page.
Cut flowers that are cared for properly can last up to 10-12 days, so go ahead and brighten your home and your spirits with a beautiful arrangement of fresh blooms today.
