Bacteria everywhere
Maybe you just got a fresh bouquet and are in a hurry so you just throw away the old one and just change the water before you place the fresh ones inside. That is a big mistake! Even if your flowers haven’t died and you are just changing the water, you should still wash the vase with dish soap. There are lots of bacteria forming inside the vase and it clings to the sides of the vase, so if you do not wash it away they will contaminate your water and kill your flowers.
While you are at it, make sure you cut away all those little leaves that are below the waterline: they will rot due to being in water constantly and will be a prime breeding ground for bacteria. They will make your flowers take their last breath faster!
The Doctor Did Not Recommend an Apple
It may be what they recommended for US, but they definitely didn’t for our flowers! And yes, we know, the little set up on your kitchen table with the vase and the fruit basket is really nice. But what you do not know is that the fruits in your basket are actually killing your flowers. That is because fruits emit ethylene gas which accelerates the wilting of flowers! Next time you are thinking of keeping your flowers for a longer time, maybe move the fruit basket to a different counter.
Longer Lasting
You may have heard that in order to make the flowers last longer you should cut the stems before placing them in water. What you may not have known is that you should not use scissors, despite it being easier. It is better to use a non-serrated knife and cut about an inch off the bottom of the stem: always at an angle! This will help the flowers get hydrated better and may just help them brighten your room for a little while longer!
