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 Griffin’s Floral Design 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.
Popular Flower Care Myths to Avoid
Myth #1Putting a Penny in the Bottom of the Vase Keeps Flowers from Wilting
Once upon a time, adding pennies to floral vases did assist with extending the lifespan of the blooms. Before 1982, pennies were created from copper, which is a natural fungicide. However, pennies today are composed of zinc, making this a genuine flower care myth. If you happen to come across pennies that pre-date 1982, adding them to your vase water will most likely infect your stems with germs and bacteria that negate the positive effects of the copper.
Myth #2Allergy Sufferers Can’t Enjoy Flowers
Similar to the way people are allergic to dog dander or saliva and not the animal itself, people who experience allergy symptoms around flowers are most likely allergic to the pollen. Those who get runny noses, itchy eyes, or begin sneezing when flowers are close by can often enjoy the beauty, fragrance, and allure of blooms like roses, hydrangea, peonies, orchids, carnations, and pansies. These flowers have minimal pollen or are pollinated by insects rather than the wind, which means their pollen is not as easily airborne.
Myth #3Sugar or Lemonade Can Be Used as Flower Flood for Your Cut Stems
No matter what you have heard, the best water to submerge your flower stems in is fresh, clean water or what with true “flower food.” It is best to avoid dissolving or mixing common household items into your flowers’ water, especially bleach, vodka, aspirin, sugar, and lemonade. These things will promote the quick growth of bacteria, ultimately killing your blooms sooner.
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
We all know that plants and flowers need soil, water, and sunlight in order to survive. What you may not know is that fresh-cut flowers require a different recipe for care. Instead of soil and sunlight, place your floral bouquets and arrangements in a cool spot in your home and out if direct sunlight. This will slow down the aging process of your flowers and extend the lifespan of your gorgeous floral arrangements.
Bonus MythBananas Kill Flowers
Surprisingly, bananas and other ripening fruit can kill flowers, making this myth not a myth at all but a fact! During the ripening process, fruits emit ethylene gas, which is extremely harmful and toxic to flowers. If your vase of blooms shares the same counter as your fruit bowl, make sure they are spaced in order to keep your arrangement healthy and thriving.
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.
