The Vase Placement Mistake That's Shortening The Life Of Your Cut Flowers

Whether you have a cut flower garden that you harvest regularly or you've been gifted a bouquet from loved ones, flowers in the home are always a welcome sight, brightening up even the most boring days. Because of their beauty, it is never pleasant to see flower bouquets fade and die too quickly. There are a few different reasons why flower bouquets may wilt sooner than expected, and many of these reasons are down to the location of the vase. See, just like our living houseplants, cut flowers are vulnerable to environmental stressors and need the right location to stay happy.

One environmental stress that can accelerate the decline of your cut flowers is less about light or heat, and more about your flowers' neighbors. If you tend to display your cut flowers on the kitchen table right next to the fruit bowl, you may need to find a new location for them. Decaying fruit produces ethylene, a compound that can cause your cut flowers to fade quickly.

To understand why placing your cut flowers near fruit can be a bad idea, we need to have a quick science lesson (don't worry, it won't be too complicated). When fruit ripens, it releases ethylene gas. Ethylene is colorless and odorless, which means it is often overlooked when people are trying to work out why their cut flowers are fading. However, every part of a plant's organism is affected when exposed to ethylene, and it affects fruit as well. Have you ever noticed that when one apple starts to decay, all the other fruit in your bowl will start to turn? This is ethylene at work. 

Interestingly, how flowers and plants respond to ethylene is not always the same. Some flowers will show signs of being affected almost as soon as they have been exposed to ethylene, while others will only be impacted after being exposed to ethylene for a long time. This can often add to the confusion. To be on the safe side, you should always try to display flowers away from fruit.

To keep cut flowers fresh for longer, finding the right location for them is essential. Most cut flowers need to be placed in a cool, bright location that is safe from any big changes in temperatures, drafts, or heat sources. Avoid displaying your flowers in direct sunlight, as this can cause the leaves and petals to singe or get damaged. Before placing your vase flowers in their permanent location, remove any lower leaves that may touch the water, and provide them with a floral preservative. 

Some ongoing care is necessary if you want your cut flowers to last a long time. You should ideally be changing the water every other day, never letting the water go cloudy or become smelly. You may also wish to recut the stems when changing the water. Remove flowers that have died or any yellowing leaves, as these may spread bacteria to other blooms. By putting your cut flowers in the right spot and keeping on top of upkeep, you can enjoy their beautiful blooms for longer.