Summer is officially over, and although we may still be enjoying some warm weather from time to time, it is now worth considering how we're going to care for our bouquets now that the days are going to get shorter and temperatures colder.

1) Trim the Stems

Trimming the stems of cut flowers is crucial because it encourages them to absorb water.

Particularly in colder environments, flowers struggle to absorb water due to the cold temperature outside. Remember, cold water seals for longer than warm water.

So how can you trim your stems?

The best way to trim your stems is cut down to a node (the bumps on the stem).

Leave around 1cm of space between the bottom of the node and where you started cutting. Make sure not to slice into any 'guts'. The nodes should swell up with water after a few hours.

2) Cut off leaves and foliage

Leaves and foliage can harbour bacteria, so they should be removed from the flowers before they are submerged in water.

Bouquets with a lot of foliage will also dry out faster, which is bad news for plants that don't like their roots exposed to the cold elements.

This is also why cutting off the bottom of the stem (where leaves were attached) helps the plant absorb water more efficiently.

3) Change the Water

It's important to change the water every couple of days and clean any containers that you're using daily.

Either throw away plastic vases or thoroughly wash them in hot soapy water between flower bouquets.

Do not use hot water to compensate for the increasingly cold weather. Room temperature water will suffice.

This is particularly important if the water has begun to take on a brownish colour.

4) Be in for your delivery

When you order flowers from online florists, it is best to make sure you're in for it. Florists will want to avoid leaving them on the doorstep, particularly in colder weather environments.

This is because cut flowers left on the doorstep for a long period of time are more likely to freeze.

All flower bouquets from us are available for next-day Birmingham flower delivery as well as same-day delivery nationwide.

5) Keep flowers away from heat sources

Of course, you are going to be turning up the radiators and activating the air heaters this autumn for yourself. Nobody in the world wants to be cold inside their own house, especially for those of us still working from home.

But to protect your flowers, it is crucial you keep your flowers away from these heat sources.

This is because the heat will cause the flowers to wilt, dry out and lose their colour.

And after all that hard work you've put into arranging your bouquet, the last thing you want is for it to go brown or die on you.

It is best to keep flowers in an area where the temperature is consistent.

Conclusion

If you want to enjoy your cut flowers for as long as possible this autumn, follow these simple tips.

Remember to keep the water clean and change it every day.

Trim off any dead leaves or petals so they don’t rot in the vase and make sure that each flower has enough space without crowding them together too much (you can use a little bit of floral foam).

It is essential to try not to place cut flowers near heat sources like fireplaces because their delicate stems will dry out quickly.

Finally, being in for delivery slots is crucial. If you have any questions about our delivery policies or want to find out more about how we can provide for your floral needs this Autumn, contact us here.