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 QG Floral + Landscape / Flowers by Mike 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
Prior to 1982, this flower care hack may have been valid, as pennies made of copper prove to be a natural fungicide that helps to extend the vase life of flowers. Today, however, it is best to drop your extra pennies into your piggy bank and leave them out of your floral vases. Not only are pennies no longer made from copper but even if you have pennies that pre-date 1982, they are sure to be covered in germs and promote bacteria growth on your stems.
Myth #2Sugar or Lemonade Can Be Used as Flower Flood for Your Cut Stems
This myth should not only be ignored but forgotten completely. Adding sugar or anything that is not true flower food to your vase water will not promote a healthy life for your blooms. Rather, these mixtures are sure to promote an impressive growth of bacteria and germs that will prematurely take the life of your flowers.
Myth #3Lilies Will Die if You Remove the Anthers
There are a few reasons why someone would want to remove anthers from lilies. For one, the pollen produced in a lily’s anthers is pretty toxic to pets. In addition, the loose pollen often makes a big mess on counters and floors. However, lilies are one of our favorite flowers and deserve their place in arrangements and bouquets. So, we are happy to report that the myth of removing a lily’s anthers will result in the death of the flower is totally false.
Myth #4Removing a Rose’s Guard Petals Will Make it Die Quicker
Without context, one would assume that plucking petals off of a flower will shorten its lifespan. However, all roses have guard petals in order to protect and save the petals that are found underneath. Removing a rose’s guard petals will have no effect on the vase life of the rose if it is done carefully and delicately. Instead, you will have a near-perfect rose ready to display in a brilliant bouquet.
Myth #5Fresh-Cut Flowers Prefer a Sunny Location
It’s true that in order to grow and bloom flowers do need sunlight. However, fresh-cut flowers are a different story. Once blooms are cut and placed in a vase or arrangement, direct sunlight can actually shorten the flowers’ lifespan. The best place for fresh blooms that are no longer in the soil is a cool place that can offer indirect sunlight. Here, they will thrive and offer sweet fragrance and beauty for a long time.
Bonus MythBananas Kill Flowers
This is the only myth on our list that is surprisingly not a myth at all but is true. Bananas and other fruit emit ethylene gas during their ripening process. Ethylene gas is pretty poisonous to flowers, which means that bananas do have the ability to kill your favorite blooms. So, be sure that your fruit bowls and flower vases are not too close to each other.
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.
