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Nothing quite captures the spirit of Christmas like a vibrant festive bouquet, instantly adding a touch of cheer to any room. Whether you’ve received an arrangement as a gift or treated yourself to some festive flowers, they’re a thoughtful addition – and there’s a plethora of bouquets currently available in stores.
However, it can be disheartening when your fresh flowers wilt or die after just a few days, leaving you wondering what went wrong. Fortunately, one expert has revealed how to ensure your festive flowers last until Christmas Day, and it’s surprisingly simple.
Samantha Walker, floral product developer at M&S, has shared her top tips for keeping your blooms fresh for as long as possible. She emphasises a crucial step that should never be overlooked when bringing home a fresh bouquet this Christmas, reports the Express.
Cutting the stems in a specific way before placing them in a vase of water can significantly extend their lifespan, according to the expert. Samantha advises: “When you first receive your bouquet, it’s vital you trim the stems to increase hydration.”
(Image: (Image: Getty))
“Aim for a 45-degree angle to maximise surface area and encourage the stems to take in water. Cutting stems horizontally can also encourage them to sit flat on the bottom of the vase, which hinders water absorption,” she added.
In addition to this, the location of your flowers is crucial – there are certain spots in your home that should be avoided if you want your fresh blooms to last until Christmas. One area to avoid placing your bouquet is near any fruit.
Samantha advised: “Some fruits give off gases which can speed up the ageing process of flowers.
“Therefore, if you want to maximise the longevity of your arrangement, it’s not a good idea to place your flowers directly next to the fruit bowl. The worst offenders are tomatoes, apples, bananas and pears.”
Interestingly, the temperature of the water you use for your flowers can also affect their lifespan. Samantha warned against using freezing cold tap water as it can shock the stems of your flowers and cause them to wilt.
She suggested: “Instead, fill your vase with lukewarm water to help the flowers absorb water and open up.”
