Finding and buying fresh flowers is not a difficult task. All you need is a little knowledge about flowers and some tips that you can accumulate after a few purchases. Then, you will become an expert in no time.
Here are some things to keep in mind when buying flowers:
Best Time to Buy Flowers
The best and ideal time of the day to bring beautiful flower bouquets home is in the morning. This is when the flower shops receive fresh flowers, and you can be sure that the flowers you buy are freshly cut, not leftovers from the previous day.
How to Identify Freshly Cut Flowers
There are some signs that you can look for to check whether the flowers you are buying are fresh:
Petal
Gently slide your finger on the petal. If the flower is fresh, you will feel the petals firm and sturdy. If the petals are soft, cool, and slightly damp, it means that these are leftover flowers from the previous day.
Color
Choose flowers with vibrant colors. Avoid buying flowers with dull, faded, discolored, wilted, or thinner than normal petals.
Pollen
If you see signs of fallen pollen inside the flower, it means that these flowers have been cut for a while.
Bloom Level
Choose flowers with buds that are about 1/3 to 1/2 open, with small visible gaps. These flowers will continue to bloom when you arrange them in a vase, and they will last longer compared to fully bloomed flowers.
However, this might not apply to all types of flowers. For example, carnations cannot be further opened, or if they can, it is only minimal. Therefore, when buying carnations, choose the ones with the most suitable level of bloom you desire.
For lilies, tulips, and calla lilies, you can choose them when some of their buds are slightly open. When you bring them home, they will gradually bloom.
For sunflowers, choose flowers that are half to two-thirds open, and you will be able to enjoy the full beauty of the blooming flowers after a few days.
For roses, do not choose flowers with very young buds or fully bloomed flowers. Flowers with buds that are 1/3 to 1/2 open are excellent choices for your flower vase.
Check the Stem
Choose flowers with straight and sturdy stems, with leaves and flowers firmly attached to the stem. Discard flowers with soft, discolored, curved stems or damaged stems.
Leaves
Freshly harvested flowers will have green and healthy leaves. When buying flowers, remember to remove flowers with yellowed, brown-striped, or otherwise abnormal leaves. These could be signs of diseases harmful to the flowers.
Do not overlook the small auxiliary leaves attached to the stem and the flower, they are also signs to help you determine if the flowers are fresh.
Water
Most flower shops place the flowers in large water containers for preservation. However, with older flowers, when you lift them up, there might be unpleasant odors coming from the water. Avoid buying such flowers.
Insects
Some flowers may contain small insects, so check and remove them. They could be the cause of faster decay for the flowers and even harmful to your health.
Source: PhunuVietnam
“How to Keep Fresh Flowers Arranged for Up to 3 Days Without Overwatering”
It’s almost that time of year again – Tết! As you adorn your home with gorgeous and vibrant flowers, you may be wondering: how do I make sure they stay fresh for as long as possible? If you’re not familiar with the right care techniques, your flowers can fade and start to wilt in as little as one or two days. Don’t worry though, we have some tips here to help keep your flowers looking beautiful for the duration of the festive season!