I have officially reached the point in winter where I am over this weather. Done with the cold, ice and snow. And desperate for weather that is warm enough for my kids to go play outside for long periods of time. Anyone else out there feeling the same way? And if you live in a warmer climate, well, good for you. But feel free to keep that to yourself. 😉
When the weather is stubborn and won't turn into spring I find I have no choice but to make the inside of my house feel like spring! One of the best ways to usher in a spring feeling is bringing in flowers. I have a horrible time keeping plants alive in my house, so I usually turn to cut flowers. They aren't always cheap and so I've done my best to learn how to make them last as long as possible. Today I am going to share with you my tips for taking care of your cut flowers to keep them beautiful for as long as possible!
- When you bring home your flowers you will want to cut them before placing them in a vase. Hold the stems under running water and snip the ends at an angle.
- Prepare your vase by putting in plant food. Flower shops will often give you a packet of plant food. But you can also create your own by mixing one part lemon-lime soda and three parts water. {Don't use diet. They need the sugar} If your vase is clear you can add a small amount of bleach {think less than a 1/4 teaspoon} to the water to keep the water looking clear.
- Remove all leaves that will be in the water. Gently pull them off the stem so that only leaves that will be above the water remain. This will help keep the water clean.
- The fun part is putting the flowers into the vase! Scotch tape is going to be your best friend when it comes to arranging flowers. If the stems are not sturdy you can create a grid pattern on the top of your vase and then fill in the flowers. A traditional shape will involve putting the taller flowers in the center and then filling out the rest.
There are so many original and fun ideas out there for arranging flowers! Just head over to Pinterest, search the type of flower you are using, and prepare to be overwhelmed with flower arrangements. And a great tip is to stick to one kind of flower when you are working on arranging on your own. I knew I wanted my tulips to all lean towards the front half of the vase. So I arranged them the way I wanted and then used a piece of tape along the back side of the flowers to keep them all leaning forward. This worked for this arrangement because I was going to display them on a tall cabinet where the top of the vase would not be seen.
- Keep the flowers in a location where they are not exposed to direct heat. Away from sunny windows, TV's, and fireplaces. And remember to change the water often, adding new plant food each time.
If you take good care of your cut flowers they can last you a while! And nothing makes a room feel more like spring then beautiful flowers! If you have other great tips for caring for cut flowers please share them in the comments below! And remember to tag me in social media so I can find your beautiful flower arrangements!
danielle says
i’ve actually been meaning to decorate with some flowers so this will be really helpful!
Becky says
So glad to hear Danielle!  I’d love to see some pictures! 🙂
jujusprinkles says
The scotch tape such a neat trick! It’s my first time hearing about it. Sometimes I save the ribbon from the bouquet (if there is one), to tie it around my vase as decoration.
Juju
http://www.jujusprinkles.com
Becky says
It can really help! Â Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer says
This makes me so excited for Spring! I can’t wait to try this!
Becky says
It’s amazing how a few fresh flowers help lift my mood on dreary winter days!
donnahup says
I love the scotch tape tip and how to make your own plant food. Tulips are my fave too 🙂
Becky says
The scotch tape idea can seriously make a huge difference! Â Thanks so much for stopping by and reading! xo
Candice says
Tulips, my favorite, always bloom too fast and then slump over losing petals within a few days. I learned, by accident, to deny my tulips water for the first 24 hours. Then, without trimming the stems, I place then in a vase. They look terrible for a few hours (good to keep the plastic sleeve around then to support them), but as they slowly drink they come to life and look beautiful for up to a full week. I do add to or replace the water daily, but never trim the stems. I’ve decided that tulips like a bit of torture.