Flowers and Valentine’s Day—it seems you can’t have one without the other. But for many of us, February is not the exactly the best time of the year to create bouquets from our own gardens. If you happen to live in a part of the world where your garden flourishes year round then putting together an elaborate flower arrangement (or simply picking a bunch of daises) is not out of the question. For the rest of us… it’s time to hit the flower shop.
If you are considering skipping the flowers this Valentine’s Day because you think that it’s too cliché consider this: new research shows that the mere presence of flowers can change people’s moods for the better. According to a behavioral study conducted at Harvard University, “people feel more compassionate toward others, have less worry and anxiety and feel less depressed when flowers are present in their home.”
Which is why if you do receive flowers this Valentine’s Day you should try to keep them alive as long as possible.
Here are some ways you can get your Valentine’s Day blooms to last longer than just a day:
1. Every two days re-cut the stems — about one additional inch — with sharp scissors.
2. Add the commercial flower preservative attached to your bouquet to warm water and immediately place the flowers in the solution.
3. Keep your flowers out of direct sunlight and away from drafts.
4. Remove leaves that will be under water. It will help reduce bacteria and fungi growth that can harm the stems.
5. Avoid taking granny’s advice of placing your flowers in vinegar and water. According to florists, nothing extends the life of a cut bloom as well as a measured amount of commercial floral preservative dissolved in warm water.
By the way, if you are looking to purchase the flower with the longest shelf life, experts recommend buying chrysanthemums or carnations.
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