Bouquets of flowers are not always kept at home for a long time.
To prevent plants from wilting and to maintain an attractive appearance for a long time, they must be kept in the conditions most suitable for them.
It is also necessary to take into account the rules for their placement, taking into account the existing features. We'll tell you how to preserve flowers below.
Content
How long are they stored?
The duration of storage of a cut bouquet depends on various factors. The duration of preservation of the appearance of flowers is affected by:
- the initial freshness of the plants (the buds of peonies, roses, and tulips should be almost closed; chrysanthemums, freesias, and hydrangeas are bought open), the elasticity of the stem, etc.;
- conditions of detention, care;
- type of flowers;
- choosing a vase (ensuring immersion in water to 1/3 of the height of the stem, and without squeezing the bouquet with the neck of the vessel);
- type of plants (some last a long time, others quickly lose their freshness), etc.
General conditions for storing a bouquet
The conditions required for flowers growing in the ground differ significantly from the requirements for cut plants. This must be taken into account when determining a place for them at home.
At what temperature?
The optimal conditions for cut flowers are to keep them in a cool place. The best option is to maintain the temperature at +5°C, maximum – +10°C. At higher rates, plant damage begins earlier.
Humidity
When the humidity is low at the location of the bouquet, the flowers begin to lose moisture. This leads to the fact that the plants quickly wither, and their decorative appeal is lost. If it is not possible to move them to another place, then it is advisable to periodically spray them with a spray bottle.
Lighting
It is not advisable to determine a place for a bouquet in a brightly lit place. Flowers begin to wither under the sun's rays, and the water in which they stand heats up, which is also not desirable.
Where can I store it?
Cut flowers can be very difficult to keep fresh. Sometimes it is possible to place them in the refrigerator, but in a vase you can extend the life of the bouquet.
In a refrigerator
Storing in a home refrigerator is a controversial decision. One of the positive aspects is the coolness, which prevents the development of microorganisms.
The disadvantage is the proximity to products, many of which emit ethylene.. This is a gas that is produced by some types of fruits and vegetables.
When exposed to it, the withering of plants and their loss of freshness are accelerated. Also, constantly being in the refrigerator will preserve the bouquet, but will not allow them to be constantly admired.
If storage in the refrigerator is planned, then there should be no food in it, especially vegetables and fruits. Additionally, plants will need packaging to retain moisture.. Flowers should not be allowed to freeze. More details can be found here.
In the vase longer
Caring for flowers directly depends on their type. When flowers are cut, the water supply to the plant is disrupted, and in the absence of moisture, they begin to die without receiving nutrition.
To extend the life of the bouquet, the following points must be taken into account:
- Do not expose plants to sudden changes in temperature (for example, taking them out of a warm place into the cold without proper packaging).
- Use a clean vase that is suitable in size and shape for the bouquet.
- Use settled water. It should be changed periodically.
- Avoid direct sunlight on the flowers.
- Before placing the bouquet in a vase, you need to cut the stems at an angle (this should be done under running warm water) and remove the lower leaves.
- Plants with woody stems (lilac, jasmine, etc.) need to be doused with hot water. It is recommended to add salt to the water at the rate of 0.5 tsp. for 0.5 liters of water.
- When replacing water in a vase, it must be washed each time.
- Spray with water using a spray bottle.
Peculiarities
Depending on the form in which the flowers are stored, their care will depend. You can learn about storing gladioli Here.
Dried
Storing flowers in dried form allows you to preserve the natural beauty of plants at any time of the year. Preserving dried flowers has its own characteristics.
Among them:
- low air humidity;
- lack of contact with water;
- collection of flowers at the end of the flowering period and proper preparation;
- preferably a stable air temperature within +10-15°C, without overheating;
- protection from direct sunlight.
Dried flowers can be stored indefinitely - up to the natural loss of integrity and visual appeal under the influence of natural processes and environmental influences. Details - in this article.
Dahlias in winter
Dahlias are a popular perennial garden flower with bright colors. Since this plant is a heat-loving plant, it must be dug out of the ground and removed for the winter. Harvested roots should be stored in a cool, dark place until spring.. More details can be found here.
Wreath made from live cut plants
Wreaths made from fresh flowers can be made with your own hands or purchased ready-made. They are used for photo shoots, holiday decorations, etc.
The style of the wreath can also be different, taking into account the occasion and the natural material available. To create a composition, it is advisable to choose flowers that do not fade very quickly.
For one day, until tomorrow
If the task is to preserve a bouquet of flowers until the next day, you need to ensure that it is in a cool place. There must be clean water in the vase.
Additionally, you can use one of the techniquesto prolong the freshness of plants:
- To increase the acidity of the water, add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the vase. This reduces the rate of bacterial development and prolongs the life of flowers.
- For tulips and roses you can add 1 tsp. sugar in water with flowers.
- Dissolving 1 aspirin tablet in a vase of water will also help extend the time the bouquet stays fresh.
When composing compositions, it is necessary to take into account that different types of plants may have different requirements for living conditions. You can learn about storing flowers in a vase here.
Cabinets
If bouquets in large quantities need to be stored for a long time, you may need special equipment - flower cabinets.
Low temperature allows plants to be preserved longer and maintain their freshness thanks to the following circumstances:
- reduction of bacterial growth;
- reducing moisture loss due to evaporation;
- decrease in ethylene biosynthesis;
- slowing down the development of flowers, including the opening of buds.
Commercial equipment for keeping flowers is a convenient and profitable purchase. With economical energy consumption, such refrigerators are quite practical.
Manufacturers of temperature equipment for florists They produce cabinets with the following functionality:
- panoramic windows;
- swing, sliding and other types of doors;
- ensuring stable temperature conditions (from +1°C to +10°C);
- LED lights;
- automatic condensate removal (evaporation) system;
- the presence of additional crossbars for hanging, etc.
Optionally, flower cabinets can be equipped with additional equipment, for example, a pollen filter.
When choosing a cabinet, you should pay attention to the following points:
- Size.
- Stable temperature support.
- Large attractive display case.
- Economical energy consumption.
- Ease of use.
The peculiarity of such equipment is limited space. The more compact the display case, the more difficult it is to place goods in it. For retail chains, it is important that the compositions look as presentable as possible and are clearly visible, attracting the attention of customers.
The cost of professional equipment cannot be too low. The price depends on the size and set of functions, manufacturer and other parameters. For example, a mini flower refrigerated display can cost from 69,000 rubles, a larger refrigerated display can cost from 125,000 rubles, etc.
Conclusion
For better storage of flowers, you must follow the rules for keeping bouquets. This will allow the plants to stay fresh longer, pleasing the eye.
