You have to admit that there is something pleasing to the eye about fresh flowers. No matter whether a loved one has given you a bouquet or you’ve bought flowers yourself inspired by a Miley Cyrus hit, fresh flowers in your home or office always raise your spirits. And given that fresh bouquets are not always cheap, it is good to know tips on how to keep flowers fresh for a longer time.

In this material, the florists of the Katelia flower studio share their tips and advice for extending the life of fresh flowers.

1. Choose the right vase: If the opening of the vase is too narrow, the stems may look flattened. So either divide the bouquet into 2 or more parts or choose a vase with a wider opening. And vice versa: If the neck is too wide, the bouquet will lose its shape.
2. Cut the stems: Using sharp scissors or a knife, cut the stems of the flowers at an angle. This will allow them to absorb water more easily.
3. Remove the leaves: Remove all leaves that will be in the water as they can promote the growth of bacteria and cause the flowers to fade more quickly.
4. Use water at room temperature: To slow down the ageing process of the flowers, fill the vase with water at room temperature and add flower dressing, if available. Another professional tip from the Katelia shop: If it is cold outside, when you come home, we recommend that you do not take the flowers out of their packaging straight away, so that there is no sudden change in temperature.
5. Add vodka or bleach: Vodka or bleach is good to fight bacteria. The main thing here is not to overdo the proportions: 1-2 tablespoons of alcohol-containing tincture or vodka per 1 liter of water is required. As for bleach, 1/4 teaspoon per 1 liter will be enough.
6. Change the water: Change the water every two or three days and cut the stems. This will prevent the accumulation of bacteria and help the flowers absorb more water.
7. Take care of fading flowers: To continue enjoying the flowers, remove dead or dying flowers, as they not only spoil the beauty but also begin to grow moldy and contaminate healthy flowers.
8. Keep away from heat and sunlight: Keep the bouquet out of direct sunlight and heat sources, as this can cause the flowers to fade more quickly.

An interesting fact at the end:
Do you know that flowers have already been proven to have a really positive influence on mood? Through a 10-month study by the Department of Psychology at Rutgers University in the USA, the researchers have found out that “flowers have an immediate and long-term influence on emotional responses, mood, social behavior and even memory in both men and women”.

Although the study has focused specifically on people receiving bouquets, it cannot be denied that buying fresh flowers for yourself can be just as uplifting.