Garden expert shares simple 5p trick to make Mother’s Day flowers last longer

While there are many different ways to celebrate the special women in your life on Mother’s Day, sending a beautiful bouquet of flowers is one of the most popular.

Yet even the most expensive bouquets will not last more than a few days without proper care.

“Flowers are one of the most beloved Mother’s Day gifts, and it’s disappointing that they no longer last,” said Julian de Bosdari, CEO of the British plant nursery. Ashridge.

‘However, if you take the time to pay special attention to the cut flowers, customers can get the best value for money and the recipients can enjoy their gift for as long as possible.’

Fortunately, it is possible to ensure that the flowers last a week or even longer. What is most important, according to Julian, is preventing conditions in which bacteria can flourish.

He explained: ‘Keeping your bouquet clean, hydrated, nourished and out of the sun will go a long way towards preserving it, and eliminating nasty bacteria from the environment can help prevent the flowers from spoiling prematurely.’

Julian would also like to remind cut flower fans that it is possible to press or dry them once they have reached the end of their lifespan.

For those put off by the transience of cut flowers, Julian recommends a houseplant or garden flowers as “an equally beautiful alternative that your loved one can enjoy for years to come.”

Here, Julian shares his top tips for keeping flowers looking healthy and lasting longer…

Choose a sustainable variety

One of the easiest ways to ensure that flowers continue to brighten up the room after a few days is to choose a naturally long-lasting variety.

Chrysanthemums, carnations and orchids are good examples of more sustainable varieties that can be kept for several weeks.

In contrast, more delicate varieties, such as tulips and peonies, have a vase life of about five days and are likely to wilt much more quickly.

Always start with a clean vase

It is essential that you place your flowers in a clean vase.

Vases with narrow openings are more difficult to clean and are more likely to harbor bacteria, which can contaminate the water and cause flowers to age and decompose more quickly. So look for a vase with a wide opening.

Since plastic vases often harbor bacteria due to the porous material, it is best to choose a glass or ceramic vase.

These types of vases are not only easier to clean, but also ensure that your flowers make an even bigger impact.

Cut the flower stems diagonally

Even though the stems of the flowers in a bouquet have already been cut, chances are they will already be closed by the time you buy them.

It is essential to cut half an inch from each stem at a 45 degree angle with a clean knife or sharp scissors before placing the flowers in a vase.

Cutting the stems this way increases the surface area for water absorption, keeping your flowers hydrated.

Continue cutting the stems every few days so the flowers have the best possible chance to absorb water.

Remove the foliage below the waterline

Any leaves or petals that have been submerged in the water of your vase should be removed as they can promote the growth of bacteria.

In turn, bacteria can clog the stems, hindering water absorption and shortening the lifespan of your flowers.

Keep healthy leaves that are above the water line; this ensures that your bouquet looks full and vibrant.

Keep flowers out of the sun and away from fruit

Keep flowers out of direct sunlight as this can cause wilting. Direct sun and intense heat can also cause the buds to bloom more quickly, shortening the life of the bouquet.

Instead, choose a cool environment, with plenty of indirect light for your flowers.

It is also important to keep flowers away from the fruit bowl because ripening fruits, such as bananas and apples, produce an odorless gas called ethylene, which causes flowers to age more quickly and petals to fall.

Change the vase water regularly

Make sure the water in your vase is clean and change it regularly to remove any bacteria. Although this can usually be done every other day, for more delicate flowers it is worth doing this daily.

If the vase water is visibly cloudy, it is time to change the water.

Use nourishing flower food

Be sure to add the sachet of liquid flower food that came with your bouquet directly to the water in your vase.

By adding more flower food each time you change the water, you can extend the life of the bouquet.

If you can’t get the right flower food, don’t worry.

You can easily make a homemade solution by adding two tablespoons of sugar and two tablespoons of white vinegar to one liter of lukewarm water.

If you buy a packet of granulated sugar (£1.09) and distilled white vinegar (35p) from Tesco, it will cost no more than 5p to feed your flowers every time you change the water in the vase.

While the sugar provides energy to nourish the flowers, the white vinegar lowers the pH of the water, which improves water absorption and helps remove bacteria thanks to its antimicrobial properties.

Check your flowers regularly and handle them with care

By checking your flowers regularly and removing any wilting petals, you will keep your bouquet looking healthy while also preventing the spread of bacteria in the vase water.

Cutting off wilting leaves also gives new buds room to bloom, leading to a blooming bouquet that is even bigger and more beautiful.

Although some flower varieties are very durable, you must be careful when handling your bouquet. Avoid crushing or pinching the stems, as you could hinder the plant’s water absorption.

Petals are particularly delicate. Handle them with care to avoid damage and keep them looking their best.