Bouquet Brilliance
Santosh Jha
| 24-01-2024
· Plant Team
Family bottle flowers enhance the environment and add a touch of sophistication to your home, elevating your overall mood.
However, the lifespan of flowers in bottles is limited. Is there a way to extend their longevity? Here are some practical tips:
1. Morning Harvest: If you're picking your flowers, opt for the early morning when dew is present. Immediately immerse the cut flower stems in warm water to encourage their pores to open, facilitating water absorption and preventing dehydration.
2. Cut in Water: Whether purchased from a flower shop or your garden, cut flowers in water to prevent air from entering the water-absorbing pores of the stems, ensuring efficient water absorption.
3. Optimal Angled Cuts: When trimming flower branches, a more diagonal cut is preferable. For thick, woody plants like rhododendrons, consider cutting the epidermis about 3 centimeters from the incision and slightly cracking it with a hammer to enhance water absorption.
4. Optimal Lengths: Flowers like chrysanthemums and orchids with robust water-absorbing capabilities can have longer stems, while those with weaker water absorption should have shorter stems, ideally placed closer to the water.
5. Remove Epidermis: Trim the flower stem's end epidermis by about 6 millimeters and apply petroleum jelly to extend the flowering period.
6. Flame Treatment: Briefly expose woody flower stems to fire or apply some salt to the incision to prevent premature decay.
7. Vinegar Trick: Dipping the stem end in vinegar before placing it in the vase can extend the flower's life. Adding a few drops of vinegar to the vase promotes water absorption and acts as a sterilizer.
8. Aspirin Boost: Placing a single aspirin tablet in the bottle can extend the life of your bottled flowers.
9. Bundle Tying: For flowers with large stems and delicate flowers, bundle short branches together before inserting them into the bottle.
10. Morning Sun Exposure: Allow flowers to bask in the morning sun for an hour to help maintain their vibrant colors.
11. Frequent Water Changes: Change the water daily, preferably in the evening. Placing the vase in a cool outdoor location overnight to absorb dew can rejuvenate the flowers.
12. Ice Preservation: In summer, adding ice cubes to the vase can help maintain the green color of the leaves.
13. Remove Adherents: During water changes, remove any adherents on the cuttings of the flower branches.
Different flowers have distinct characteristics, necessitating varying care methods.
Roses:
The typical storage period for roses is around five days. Upon arrival, immediately address thorns, cut the roots at a 45-degree angle, remove outer protective and damaged petals, and provide deep water treatment. Changing the water, recutting the origins, and fixing imperfect petals daily can extend the flowering period to about 4 or 5 days.
Lilies:
Lilies are prone to fungus, requiring daily root trimming and water changes. With proper care, their flowering period can last approximately ten days. Regularly clean the bucket during water changes to prevent bacterial infection.
Carnations:
Carnations are susceptible to odors, necessitating water changes every two days. Room temperature preservation can extend their lifespan to 10 days. Regular checks and immediate action for dehydration are crucial.