How to Help Your Cut Flowers Survive the Central Heating

Have you caved yet? Right about now, householders throughout the UK will be having the same discussion. Should you put the heating on? It may only be October, but it’s grey and it’s cold. Some parts of the UK have already had their first frost. If you haven’t put the heating on yet, you probably will do soon. But while those warm rays feel wonderful for us, they do bring one little problem. Central heating is terrible for cut flowers! So, how can you make your arrangements last longer throughout the winter?

Five Tips for Helping Cut Flowers Last Longer in Centrally Heated Homes

Think about placement

There are heat spots in every room. So, the first thing you need to think about is where you place your flowers. Avoid spots near radiators, just as you would avoid placing flowers by an open fire. Think about where your vents are. Windows are often slightly cooler than the rest of a room. But don’t forget that even winter sun can be hot when concentrated, so avoid south-facing windows. If you have a north-facing window however, that can provide the perfect conditions.

Change your water

Most bacteria reproduce more quickly in warmer conditions. So, if you leave your flowers in the same water for days, the stems are going to rot. Bacteria will reproduce. And the flowers die. By changing the water at least every other day, you can prolong the life of the flowers.

Trim the stems

There are two reasons to trim flower stems. Firstly, if they dry out, they can’t take up water, and the flower will die. Secondly, the longer a stem sits in water, the more likely it is to rot. A rotten stem can’t take up water any better than a dry one. If you trim flower stems when you change their water, you can improve their water uptake. And this will extend their lives.

Feed your flowers

Cut flowers don’t NEED food. But they will last longer if you feed them. Most florists will provide some food when you purchase your arrangement. Or, you can make your own. Adding food to your flower water can also help to prevent bacteria build up.

Don’t place your flowers near fruit

Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas. This can cause flowers to age faster. And as fruit ripens more quickly in warm rooms, this can be a particular problem when you use central heating.

Whether it’s roses or orchids, if you buy cut flowers from a reputable florist, you have the right to expect a good shelf life. But you also have to take responsibility for the care of those blooms. So, when you finally put the heating on, think about where you place your cut flowers. And remember to care for them properly.

Visit Blue Florist to view our latest cut flower arrangements.