A bouquet of fresh and fragrant flowers is definitely at the top of most gift lists. Best of all, there’s a captivating bloomer for every occasion!
But what happens when you can’t put them in water straight away? Will they wilt immediately or do you still have some time to save them?
I wish I could say they’ll last for weeks, but I’ve been in this business for a long time and the only real answer is:
It Mainly Depends On The Type Of Flower!
I know everyone will be disappointed with this answer, but it’s just the way it is.
Look, flowers can’t grow without water, and once you cut them, that feature simply doesn’t go away. They’ll need even more water since they don’t have the soil to provide them with nutrients.
If we take a look at the most commonly used cut flowers, they can last for a few hours. Believe it or not, there are some hardy species whose flowers can last for 24 hours without a drink. But there are also flowers that will literally wilt within minutes.
I’m sure you’re wondering which flowers can last the longest without water, so here’s the list:
• Roses
• Gladiolas
• Carnations
• Dianthus
• Lisianthus
The type of cut flower is the most important factor, but the climate you live in can also affect the freshness of your flowers.
For instance, if you live in Colorado, you can expect any cut blossoms to wilt way sooner than expected. This especially refers to the more delicate flowers, such as hydrangeas, dahlias, and snapdragons.
But You Can Extend Their Freshness With These Tips
Sometimes, the flowers will need to travel long distances before they reach their final destination. This means they’ll be left without water for a long time, and we already know that even the hardier species can’t really withstand it.
Well, there are ways to prepare cut flowers for the period of dry spell.
The first thing you need to do is trim the stems and bottom leaves, if any. They’ll use the energy and the flower will wilt faster.
Then you can fill a container with fresh water, add some flower preservatives, and keep your flowers there for a few hours before transporting them.
You can use store-bought flower preservatives, but I’m always using the old-school way: sugar cubes.
Make sure you keep the flowers in a cool spot and there aren’t any heating vents around them. Additionally, keep them away from the direct sunlight since it’ll cause them to wilt sooner.
Finally, take a paper towel, wet it, and wrap it around the bottom of the stems. I typically secure them with a rubber band.
By choosing the hardier varieties and following these steps, your flowers can survive for a long time without water and reach the lucky person safely!
Making A Hydration Chamber Is Also A Good Option!
The method I described to you is the most common one and it does work. But you can take things to a whole new level and make a hydration chamber.
Don’t worry, this isn’t some science experiment and you don’t need any special equipment to do it.
You need an airtight container, such as a plastic storage bin. First, add a layer of damp paper towels to the bottom of the container.
Then add the cut flowers and a layer of damp towels. Repeat the process until all your flowers are in the chamber.
The temperature in the hydration chamber should be low. I don’t have such a cool spot in my home so I typically keep it in a refrigerator overnight.
With this method, stems get fully hydrated, and I don’t have to worry the flowers will wilt; this way, they can survive pretty long without water!
We all wish that cut flowers last a lifetime, but since that’s not possible, we need to put an effort into prolonging their freshness. Well, now that you know the best ways to do it, nothing will stop you or your friends from enjoying their beauty for many days to come!