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 George’s Flowers 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.
Common Flower Care Myths to Avoid
Myth #1Putting a Penny in the Bottom of the Vase Keeps Flowers from Wilting
While this flower care tip was valid back in the day, today it is a recipe for germs and bacteria growth in your vase. This myth stems from the fact that copper is a natural fungicide with the ability to increase the vase life of beautiful blooms. However, since pennies are no longer created from copper, this myth is one that should be left in 1981.
Myth #2Allergy Sufferers Can’t Enjoy Flowers
It’s true that a number of flowers containing loose pollen, like sunflowers and lilies, can stir up allergy symptoms. However, flowers with pollen that is not easily airborne seldom trigger allergy symptoms, even in individuals with extreme allergies. Blooms like roses, orchids, hydrangea, carnations, and peonies are just a few examples of great flower options for people who suffer from allergies.
Myth #3Sugar or Lemonade Can Be Used as Flower Flood for Your Cut Stems
The flower care hack that sugar-water, lemonade, even vodka, bleach, or aspirin, will extend the vase life of your blooms could not be any more false. Mixing anything into your flowers’ water that is not true flower food is actually harmful to your flowers and will shorten their vase life. Additives in water will only promote gunk and bacteria, which will prematurely kill flowers.
Myth #4Removing a Rose’s Guard Petals Will Make it Die Quicker
If you know anything about roses it is that delicately plucking off the guard petals will do no harm to the flower underneath nor will it shorten its vase life. Guard petals have the job of protecting the petals that lie underneath and shielding them from bruising, tearing, etc. It is actually an important step to remove unattractive guard petals before delivering or displaying a wonderful bouquet of roses.
Myth #5Fresh-Cut Flowers Prefer a Sunny Location
When it comes to placing flowers in direct sunlight, it is crucial to determine if you are tending to flowers in a pot with soil or a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers in a vase. In this case, we are talking about fresh flowers and floral arrangements, which require indirect sunlight and a cool place to live. Once blooms are cut from the garden, the goal is to keep them alive for as long as possible and slow down the aging process. Direct sunlight will encourage the blooms to open quickly and actually shorten their vase life.
Bonus MythBananas Kill Flowers
This myth is true, and it’s not just bananas! Ripening fruit, whether it be bananas, apples, oranges, kiwi, etc. emits ethylene gas. Ethylene gas can be very harmful and toxic to flowers. It won’t take long for your ripening fruit bowl to shorten the vase life of your blooms if they are placed too close together on your counter.
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.
