Helping Your Flowers Stay Fresh
A fresh bouquet should feel like a small luxury. With a bit of basic care, your flowers will hold their colour and shape for much longer. Follow these steps to get the best from your Belles Fleurs arrangement.
1. Unwrap and Let Them Settle
Take off all packaging as soon as your flowers arrive. They may look a little tired after travel, so give them a moment to breathe before placing them in water.
2. Give Them a First Drink
Pop the stems into a jug of clean, cool water for ten to fifteen minutes while you sort the vase. This helps them rehydrate straight away.
3. Trim the Stems Properly
Cut one to two centimetres from each stem at a forty-five degree angle using clean scissors or secateurs. This improves water uptake and helps the flowers last longer.
4. Remove Any Lower Foliage
Strip away leaves that would sit below the waterline. Leaves left in the water break down quickly and encourage bacteria.
5. Use a Clean Vase and Fresh Water
Wash your vase with warm soapy water, rinse well, and fill it with fresh, cool water. Add the flower food included. If none is available, a small teaspoon of sugar and a tiny drop of bleach can help keep the water clear.
6. Arrange Gently
Place the stems in the vase without overcrowding them. Good spacing helps airflow and keeps the bouquet looking neat and supported.
7. Choose the Right Location
Keep your flowers in a cool spot, away from direct heat, sunlight, fireplaces, or draughts. Avoid placing them near ripening fruit, as it releases ethylene gas which shortens their lifespan.
8. Change the Water Often
Refresh the water every couple of days. Give the vase a quick rinse, refill with clean water, and trim the stems again. This keeps the flowers drinking well.
9. Remove Any Spent Blooms
Different flowers age at different speeds. Take out any fading stems to keep the rest of the bouquet looking its best.
10. Enjoy Your Bouquet
Fresh flowers bring a lift to any room. A little care goes a long way in keeping them looking beautiful.
