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How to keep your flowers looking fresh
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Keep your vase filled with water. All flower and foliage stems should be submerged. Flowers stay fresher, longer when they can get a drink. A good idea is to cut the stems a little daily or every other day. This will enable the flowers to receive a steady flow of water. Watch your water. When it gets cloudy it is time to change is out.
If your flowers came in a basket or other container with floral foam, add fresh water every day. Immediately remove dead or wilting leaves and stems from fresh flower arrangement.
Most flowers prefer temperatures between 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 22 degrees Celsius) and are best displayed away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or on top of televisions or radiators, which give off heat and can cause flowers to dehydrate.
Avoid placing fresh flowers near ripening fruit, which releases tiny amounts of ethylene gas that can age them prematurely.
Alstroemeria - thirsty flowers!
The buds of your Alstroemeria may appear, when new, to be very tight; with proper nutrition from flower food they should open to full bloom and maximum enjoyment. Alstroemeria are particularly thirsty flowers, so check the vase often to ensure it is full (or the foam material is saturated) and add floral food with each water change.
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Carnations - keep away from fruits and veggies!
The same general care guidelines described above apply to carnations, including their sensitivity to ethylene, a harmless (note: it does not harm humans or animals), naturally produced gas, which can be released by fruits, vegetables, and decaying floral materials. Keep arranged carnations free of ethylene producing materials for best results. When you re-cut the stems, cut them just above one of the nodes that run up the flower's stalk. This will allow the stem to more easily draw the water it needs. When properly cared for carnations can last 7-14 days, depending on variety.
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Daisies - are thirsty flowers!
The same general care guidelines described above apply to daisies, but keep in mind that these are particularly thirsty flowers, so check their water level often, and be sure that the vase is full and any foam materials are completely saturated.
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Dendrobium Orchids - keep away from fruits and veggies!
The same general care guidelines described above apply to dendrobium orchids, including their sensitivity to ethylene gas, which can be released by fruits, vegetables, and decaying floral materials.
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Gerbera - change water often
Gerbera stems are highly susceptible to bacteria blockage, causing their heads to droop over, so change their water often and replenish their supply of floral food every 1-2 days. Since they are particularly sensitive to ethylene gas and bacteria – keep the vase and surrounding areas clean and debris free.
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Hydrangea-revive wilting blossoms with warm water
Hydrangeas have woody stems that need to draw water for maximum vase life. If a blossom wilts prematurely, remove it from the design, recut the stem at a sharp angle and place in warm water for at least one hour. The flower should be revived and ready to take its place in the design. For best results keep the water level in their vase full. Hydrangeas can also be dried, by hanging them upside down in a warm spot.
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Lily- remove anthers to avoid staining clothing
Lily pollen can stain clothing and furniture, so carefully remove the anthers (the orange pollen-coated tips at the end of the stamens) with tissues before displaying your bouquet. As flowers open as your design ages, you should continue to remove the anthers. Follow the same general care guidelines described above, but since lilies bruise easily, handle them with particular care. Their blooms open in succession, and you can snip off spent flowers close to the main stem.
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Roses - don't let leaves fall below waterline
Follow the general care guidelines described above for your roses, being sure to remove any discolored petals on the flower's outer edge (called guard petals) and foliage that fall below the waterline when refreshing your arrangement. Recutting the stems often will give your roses the longest vase life.
If your roses begin to wilt, you may be able to revive them. Trim off about an inch from the bottom of its stem and then submerge the entire rose under water in a sink or bathtub. Allow the stem to absorb water for about 20-60 minutes before returning them to their vase.
Roses last longer in a cool area, but if you want their blooms to open quickly, temporarily place them in a warmer spot (Note: not hotter than 80 degrees Fahrenheit).
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