Picture this: You received a beautiful floral arrangement from your loved one, but it begins to wilt after just a few days. What should you do? You don’t want to toss them out, but you also don’t want to display dying flowers in your home.
The good news is that you may be able to bring them back to life by following a few simple tips from your same-day flower delivery service. Here’s how you can restore your bouquet to like-new condition:
Snip the stems: If your flowers are dying, it could be because the stem has dried out and the plant is no longer absorbing water. Slice an inch off the bottom of the stem at a 45-degree angle to ensure the flowers can start drinking water once again. We recommend recutting the stems as soon as you get the arrangement.
Remove dried blooms: Some flowers in the bouquet will start to die before others. You’ll want to remove these dying blooms from the vase as soon as you realize they’re beyond saving. Those dying flowers are taking water and nutrients from the blooms that are still healthy, leading to the premature death of the entire bouquet.
Clean the vase: Bacteria growth in the water is another leading cause of a wilting floral arrangement. Instead of keeping your bouquet in that same old, dirty water, be sure to drain the water every few days and thoroughly clean the vase with soap and water. This step can keep your flowers alive for a few more days or even weeks.
Use sugar: Sugar gives humans a little pick-me-up, and it also works for flowers you receive from a same-day flower delivery service. After refilling your vase with fresh water, add a teaspoon of sugar to the vase, and watch them perk right up. You can also add a little bit of sugar to the flower heads for an extra boost.
Preventative measures
There are a few things you can do to prevent wilting before it even begins. Follow these tips, and you may not even have to worry about the pointers above:
Watch where you display them: Flowers are fickle and don’t like being in areas that are too hot or too cold. Avoid putting your flowers in a window—the direct sunlight will only speed up the drying process. Additionally, keep them away from fans or air vents where they’ll get too cold.
Put them in lukewarm water: Your arrangement should never be placed in water that’s too cold. Putting them in a vase filled with lukewarm water helps the stems absorb more water, allowing the flower blooms to receive more water at a faster rate.
We carry the best flowers in town
To help ensure your floral arrangements last for as long as possible, be sure to shop at It’s Just For You. Call us for same-day flower delivery, or visit our shop to check out our selection. If you’re having trouble deciding, just let our friendly staff members create a custom bouquet for your loved one.
Displaying a fresh bouquet of flowers is an easy way to make your home look better and smell nicer. The only problem is that some flowers don’t last for too long after you receive a flower delivery. The good news is that’s not the case across the board. Here are a few of the flowers that last longer than most:
Zinnias: With the ability to last 24 days, zinnias are among the longest-lasting flowers on our list. Just be sure to change the water every two days to keep them alive for this long.
Orchids: Though they’re delicate in appearance, orchids can last for up to three weeks in a vase. Although they’re all hearty, cymbidiums are the flowers in the orchid family that last the longest.
Carnations: Besides their beautiful appearance, one of the reasons carnations are among the most-gifted flowers is the fact that they can last anywhere from two to three weeks before dying.
Delphiniums: The vibrant blue and purple hues in delphiniums can last for up to two weeks. You’ll just need to keep these flowers away from fresh produce because the gasses released can harm delphiniums.
Chrysanthemums: As long as you keep them trimmed and the water is changed every few days, chrysanthemums can last for up to 25 days. Buy flowers with a long stem because you’ll be snipping them frequently.
Gladiolus: These beautiful flowers can last for 10 days. However, they’re among some of the thirstiest flowers on our list—be sure to keep an eye on the water level in your vase.
How can I prolong my flowers’ lifespan?
Even if you don’t buy any of the flowers mentioned above from your flower-delivery service, you can still keep your flowers lasting longer by following these tips:
Buy from a reputable florist: Instead of picking your flowers up from a grocery store, always buy them from a professional florist. Florists only carry fresh flowers, and they know how to care for them before they’re delivered, so they’re sure to last for a while once you bring them home.
Change the water: We mentioned this point above, but you can’t just let your flowers sit in that same old water for weeks on end. Water gets full of bacteria over time—especially as petals begin to drop into the vase—so wash your vase frequently and change the water every couple of days.
Avoid direct sunlight: Flowers need some sunlight to prosper once you bring them home, but putting them in a window where they’ll receive direct sunlight is a no-no. The sun’s heat will cause the flowers to wilt prematurely, as will placing them near any appliances that generate a ton of heat.
Be sure to buy your flowers from It’s Just For You Flower Delivery
For the freshest flowers and the fastest flower delivery, visit It’s Just For You. Contact us today to schedule a delivery or to speak with our experts about which arrangements are right for that special someone in your life.
It’s hard to imagine anyone who wouldn’t be delighted by a fresh flower arrangement. Getting a bouquet is not only a sign that someone cares, but it can provide days or even weeks of cheer. Bouquets can commemorate special occasions or simply let others know that you’re thinking of them. Plus, most florists can accommodate same-day flower delivery requests, so giving flowers is a great last-minute gift for housewarmings, graduations, birthdays and more. Here are our best tips to help guide your flower-giving decisions:
Don’t wait for a special occasion: Floral arrangements make for great special-occasion gifts, but there’s no need to wait for a holiday. Show your loved ones that you care when you send flowers just because. They’ll be delighted by the unexpected surprise—sometimes it means more when you get flowers for no particular reason.
Call hotel concierges to find florists in another town: If you’re buying flowers for someone out of town, one of the best ways to find the best local florists is to call a hotel concierge. It’s their job to know the best places in town, including where to get beautiful flowers.
Find out the recipient’s favorite flowers: If you want to impress your recipient, find out what their favorite flowers are and keep them in your phone’s notes app. That way you’ll always know what to order, even on the spur of the moment.
Consider adding scented flowers: If the recipient loves scented flowers, consider adding a few to your bouquet. A fragrant arrangement can be a multisensory treat.
Be specific about the flowers you want: When you talk to your florist, make sure you’re very specific about the flowers that you’d like to have included. If there are certain varieties that must be in the bouquet, tell them. You could also specify certain colors or shapes that you particularly like, then let the florist choose which flowers would work best within those parameters.
Gather ideas from the internet: Not sure what kind of flowers or look you’re going for? Check sites like Pinterest for bouquet ideas. Gather a few of your top favorites and send them to the florist. Alternatively, you can look through the florist’s website and describe what you like about certain selections to create a custom arrangement.
Choose a vase over a basket: Generally, flowers arranged in a vase last longer than those in a basket. If you plan ahead, you can provide the florist with a meaningful vase you’ve picked out for the recipient, or you can have them choose one for you.
Consider same-day delivery: If you’re in a time crunch, take advantage of your florist’s same-day flower delivery services.
Give flowers to yourself: Finally, don’t forget that when it comes to giving flowers, you can always give them to yourself. They’re a great way to add beauty and cheer to your living space, commemorate an achievement and indulge in some self-care.
When you want high-quality professional floral arrangements, call It’s Just For You. We’re happy to help you create the perfect bouquet for any occasion, and even offer same-day flower delivery.
If someone was nice enough to send you a flower delivery, you undoubtedly want to get the most life out of them as you can. Freshly cut, professionally-arranged flowers are a special treat, whether they were for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion or simply because someone was thinking of you. No bouquet can last forever, but following these easy tips will help them last days (maybe even a week) longer than they might otherwise.
General tips
Here’s how to get the most out of your next flower delivery:
Avoid heat, drafts, sunlight and fruit: Where you put your flowers matters. Heat, drafts and sunlight can cause your flowers to dehydrate too quickly, so you won’t get to enjoy them for as long as you would otherwise. Don’t place them near fruit, either—fruit releases tiny amounts of gas that will cause your arrangement to wilt. It’s always best to keep your flowers in a cool area free from moving air—that’s why professional florists sometimes place cut flowers in special refrigerators.
Watch the water: It sounds obvious, but sometimes people forget to keep the water at an appropriate level. Watch your arrangement’s water level carefully. If there are leaves below the water line, strip them off. Change the water (and flower food) when it starts to get cloudy.
Trim the stems: Professional bouquets are pre-trimmed, but if you’re caring for farmers market or grocery store bouquets, don’t forget to trim the stems. When a flower stem is cut, it begins to develop a callus, unless it’s placed in water right away. The callus makes it more difficult for the stems to draw water, so they should be trimmed off.
Try these tricks
When it comes to plant food, there are a few tricks people swear by. Your florist may have included specially formulated flower food with your bouquet—if so, follow the directions on the packet. If there’s no flower food included, try these tips:
Apple cider vinegar: Mix two tablespoons apple cider vinegar and two tablespoons sugar into your vase water, then change the water and solution every few days to keep your flowers fresh.
Vodka: Even plants love happy hour. If you have vodka at home, add a few drops plus a teaspoon of sugar to the water. Change the water every other day and continue adding this mixture. The vodka kills any bacteria in the water that could make your arrangement wilt faster.
Soda: Clear soda, like 7 Up or Sprite, can help your flowers flourish. Add a quarter cup to the water—the sugar content provides extra food for your bouquet. Be sure to change the water and soda every few days or as needed.
Aspirin: Crush an aspirin tablet and add it to the vase water (again, changing it every few days) to help your arrangement thrive.
When you need the perfect flower delivery arrangement for any occasion, It’s Just For You is here to help. Call us to create a custom bouquet or choose one of our customer favorites.
Ready to celebrate a festive 4th of July in Houston, TX 77084? Flowers are a great way to decorate for any special occasion, including the country’s birthday. Here are three great tips to make your 4th of July flower arrangement a true showstopper.
Use a patriotic color scheme
Nothing says 4th of July like red, white and blue—the colors of America’s great flag. As you create a 4th of July floral arrangement to commemorate the holiday in Houston, TX 77084, select flowers that work with this color scheme. The following blooms are excellent choices as you design a bouquet or centerpiece for this special holiday:
Reds: You’ll want to have plenty of red flowers in your arrangement. Good candidates include bright red dahlias or red roses—they’re big and bold, and always attract plenty of attention.
Whites: White flowers are the perfect accent to big, bold reds and subtle blue blooms. Choose an option like scabiosa or even carnations. If you want large, white blooms, white roses or white lisianthus are both excellent options. They’re pure white and complement the other flowers nicely.
Blues: Good options to use in your arrangement include small blue cornflowers or even larger blue carnations.
Greens: Add density and mass to your centerpiece or bouquet by including some subtle green stems and leaves for some extra texture and color. Eucalyptus and oregano work well, and they add a pleasant smell to the arrangement, too. Feel free to get creative and use other greenery like marjoram, jasmine or spirea.
Build up the base of your container
Whether you’re using a vase, planter box or any other type of container for your flower arrangement, build up the base to create mass and give your stems some extra height. The easiest way to do this is by placing a piece of floral foam at the bottom of the container, but you can also build up the base by adding glass pebbles or colored gravel to the container before placing your stems.
Add the flowers and greenery
Start filling in the container with the greenery first. It’s best to picture your container as a compass: add shorter pieces of greenery to the north and south ends of the container and longer, taller pieces on the east and west. Repeat in other areas in a radiating pattern. Start adding the base flowers, which are the larger flowers you’ve selected for the arrangement. Accent flowers, which are the smaller flowers you’ve chosen, can be added next. Keep adding stems and greenery as necessary to make sure your arrangement has mass and doesn’t look too sparse.
A 4th of July flower arrangement can be a special centerpiece for backyard barbecues, picnics in the park or any other way you choose to commemorate the holiday in Houston, TX 77084. Follow the tips above and you’ll create a floral centerpiece that will truly impress. Contact Its Just For You today if you need any help selecting the right flowers for a festive 4th of July floral bouquet.