GeorGia’s tips for lonGer lastinG flowers

The main factor in extending the life of flowers is cleanliness. Buckets and scissors need to be as clean as possible. Plastic buckets may be less attractive, but the plastic does not react with flower food. They can also be scrubbed with bleach. Flowers are cut first thing in the morning, or last thing at night. Directly after cutting, they are placed in buckets half full of water and flower food. Regardless of whether they are cut from the garden or bought, flowers should never be used straight away. Leaving them overnight in a cool dark place increases their longevity. Flowers that have been bought may have spent some time in transportation and need a drink, food and time to rest. Leaving them overnight helps them relax, becoming stronger as they fill with food. When arranging the next day, no more flower food is added. The flowers have already taken their fill of this food, which contains sugary glucose. Any sugar left in the water can encourage bacteria that turns water green. Instead, a Milton sterilising tablet is dissolved in the vase water. The water is changed regularly, topping up with another tablet or half-tablet each time.