Farm-fresh flowers are harvested close to peak freshness, conditioned after cutting, and chilled until they are ready to go home with you. Once they leave the farm, clean water and a few simple steps can make a noticeable difference!

Caring for Farm-Fresh Bouquets 

The sections below explain each step and offer troubleshooting tips for flowers that begin to droop or fade.

Essential Flower-Care Steps

1. Recut the stems at a 45-degree angle

Using clean, sharp floral snips or scissors, trim approximately 2.5cm (1") from the bottom of each stem. Avoid crushing or tearing the stems with dull scissors.

Cutting at an angle:

• creates a larger surface area for water uptake
• prevents the stem from sitting flat against the bottom of the vase
• removes dried or damaged stem tissue

2. Remove any leaves below the waterline

Strip away all foliage that would sit beneath the surface of the water. Leaves left underwater begin to break down quickly, encouraging bacterial growth. Bacteria can clog the stems and prevent the flowers from drinking properly.

3. Use a thoroughly clean vase and fresh water

Wash the vase with hot, soapy water and rinse it well before adding your flowers. Fill it with fresh, cool-to-lukewarm water. Because your bouquet has already been conditioned in a professional hydrating and nourishing solution after harvest, you do not need to add anything complicated to the vase water. The most effective natural care is simply:

• Remove all foliage below the waterline
• Change the water every one to two days
• Recut the stems each time the water is changed

Avoid adding sugar unless the vase is washed and the water is replaced daily! Sugar may feed the flowers, but it can also encourage bacterial growth, which could clog the stems and shortens vase life.

Customers who prefer a homemade option can instead add a small amount of lemon juice (1 tsp per litre of water) to slightly acidify the water. 

4. Refresh the arrangement every two to three days

Every two to three days:

1. Remove the bouquet from the vase and empty the old water.
2. Wash and rinse the vase.
3. Recut approximately 2.5cm (1")  from the stems.
4. Remove any fading flowers or damaged foliage.
5. Refill the vase with fresh water.

A quick daily top-up is helpful, but replacing the water completely is even more effective.

5. Choose a cool location

A cool room will generally help your bouquet last longer than a warm, sunny location. Place the bouquet somewhere cool and away from:

• Direct sunlight
• Heating and air-conditioning vents
• Fireplaces and hot appliances
• Ripening fruit which releases ethylene gas and can cause flowers to age more quickly

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Extending Vase Life: Tips for Longer-Lasting Flowers

Give the stems enough water

Do not allow the vase to run dry. Even a brief period without water can cause air to enter the stems and interrupt hydration. Large bouquets may drink a surprising amount of water during the first 24 hours.

Avoid overcrowding the vase

If the bouquet feels tightly packed, divide it between two vases. Crowded stems can:

• Restrict airflow
• Trap fading petals and foliage
• Make the water difficult to keep clean
• Prevent some stems from reaching the water properly

Remove flowers as they finish

Farm bouquets often contain several flower varieties, and they will not all age at the same rate. Remove individual blooms as they fade rather than discarding the entire arrangement. This keeps the bouquet looking fresh and prevents decaying plant material from contaminating the water. As the bouquet becomes smaller, move it into a shorter or narrower vase.

Clean your tools

Wash floral snips or scissors before cutting the stems. Dirty tools can transfer bacteria directly into freshly cut stem tissue.

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Troubleshooting Common Bouquet Problems

The flowers are drooping

Drooping is most often caused by dehydration. Some flowers recover quickly, while others may need several hours to rehydrate.

Try the following:

1. Remove the flowers from the vase.
2. Wash the vase thoroughly.
3. Recut the stems with clean, sharp snips.
4. Remove any foliage below the waterline.
5. Place the stems immediately into fresh water.
6. Leave the bouquet in a cool location for several hours.

The water becomes cloudy or smells unpleasant

Cloudy water is a sign of bacterial growth. Do not simply top up cloudy water.

• Replace the water
• Scrub the vase
• Recut the stems
• Remove submerged leaves and fading flowers
  

The stems feel slimy

Slimy stems usually indicate bacterial buildup. Rinse the stems gently under cool water, clean the vase, and trim away the affected lower portions before returning the flowers to fresh water.

The flowers are wilting even though the vase has water

The stems may be blocked or unable to absorb water effectively. Possible causes include:

• Stems were not recut
• The cut ends have dried out
• Bacteria have clogged the stem tissue
• The vase water is too dirty
• The arrangement is sitting in excessive heat

Reclean, recut, and rehydrate the bouquet in a cool location.

Flower heads are bending just below the bloom

This may happen when the upper stem becomes dehydrated or weakened. Recut the stem and place it in deeper fresh water for a few hours. If the bloom does not recover, shorten the stem and place it in a smaller vase or bud vase.

The outer petals look bruised or discoloured

Some flowers, particularly roses, have protective outer petals known as guard petals. These may look slightly bruised or uneven. They can be gently removed without harming the flower.

The bouquet looks tired after several days

Refresh the design rather than discarding it. Shortening older stems can often give the remaining blooms several more days of enjoyment. Remove spent flowers, shorten the remaining stems, and arrange them in:

• A smaller vase
• A collection of bud vases
• Small jars
• A bedside arrangement
• A kitchen-table posy

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Special Notes for Different Flower Types

Dahlias

Dahlias are beautiful but naturally have a shorter vase life than many other flowers. Keep their water especially clean, recut them regularly, and remove fading blooms promptly.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas can wilt quickly if they become dehydrated. Recut the stems and place them in deep water. Their petals can also absorb moisture, so mist the flower head with water to refresh it.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are thirsty flowers. Check their water level daily and use a sturdy vase that can support their weight. 

Woody stems and flowering branches

Lilacs, viburnum, flowering branches, and other woody materials benefit from a fresh angled cut with sharp pruning shears.

Avoid smashing the ends, as damaged tissue may encourage bacteria. Instead, cut vertically about 2.5cm (1") up from the bottom of the stem. This will improve water absorption and maximize surface area for hydration.

Tulips

Did you know that Tulips continue to grow and move after cutting? They may bend toward light, which is normal - so rotate the vase occasionally and keep them in cool water.

A classic florist trick to prevent tulips from drooping is to poke a small pin or needle horizontally through the stem about 2.5cm (1") below each flower head before placing the tulips in water. This allows for better hydration by letting any trapped air bubbles escape.

Sweet peas

Sweet peas are delicate and often have a shorter natural vase life. Keep them cool and remove fading florets as needed.

 

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