Flowers are the most easy home decor tool. And they don’t even cost a bomb. The only problem is that when you buy a bunch of carefully chosen blooms, you would hate to see them dry out and wither before their time. So how do you ensure that the flowers remain fresh and smiling for long? Experts say it all depends on how you put them in the vase. The little things like the temperature of the water and the duration of time spent between buying the flowers and putting them in water, matter a lot.
These following tips should help you arrange flowers like a pro though and avoid common mistakes that can ruin your flower arrangement:
1. Water, water, and some more water
Put your flowers in water as soon as you can. The longer you keep them away from their life source, the harder it will be for them to survive. So, buy your flowers at a nearby florist or as the last item on your shopping list and plop them in a vase full of tepid water as soon as you are in. Also, remember to change the water frequently so as to prevent bacteria build up.
2. Make a fresh cut
Always cut the flower stems before arranging them. Make and inclined cut so as to increase the surface area for water absorption. You can also trim leaves that fall below the water line. This helps a lot in reviving your flowers if they have been sitting for a while before being put in a vase.
3. Check the water temperature
Not too hold, nor too cold. Tepid is how the flowers like it, so ensure that the water is at the right temperature. However, if you have a bunch of tightly closed flower heads, slightly warmer water might help the buds to open fully. But use warm water with discretion.
4. Use florist’s foam
If you want to arrange your flowers as a centrepiece, then just using a vase to hold them may not be the brightest idea. Florist’s foam is a great help in such situations. Soak the foam in water for about 15 minutes before you use it so that is fully hydrated. Then, arrange your flowers on the foam piece. Keep checking to see if the foam has dried out and water every couple of days to keep your flowers for longer.
5. Choose the right flowers
When arranging flowers, start with the bigger ones and then use the smaller blossoms to fill in the gaps. Leave enough space between the stems for the blooms to open and spread. Use flowers of different sizes and shapes, as well as different heights, to give your arrangement more layers and dimension.
If you have a florist, you can learn the techniques of flower arrangement from them. If however, you want to do it the DIY way, you can order flowers from the best online flower delivery in the UK, and learn the basics on your own.