<p>There's nothing quite like the joy of a fresh bouquet brightening your home. But all too often, those beautiful blooms begin to fade within days. The good news? With a few simple care techniques, you can significantly extend the life of your cut flowers.</p> <h2>Start with a clean vase</h2> <p>Bacteria are the enemy of fresh flowers. Always start with a thoroughly clean vase: wash it with hot, soapy water and rinse well. This removes any lingering bacteria that could shorten your flowers' lifespan.</p> <h2>Trim the stems</h2> <p>When you receive or buy flowers, trim about 2–3cm from the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. This increases the surface area for water absorption and stops stems sitting flat against the vase bottom. Use sharp scissors or secateurs, as crushing the stems damages the channels that draw up water.</p> <p><strong>Pro tip:</strong> trim the stems underwater if you can, or put them in water straight after cutting. Air bubbles can form in the stems and block water uptake.</p> <h2>Use the right water</h2> <p>Most flowers prefer room-temperature water. A few exceptions, like spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils, prefer cool water. Change the water every 2–3 days, or sooner if it turns cloudy.</p> <h2>Remove the lower leaves</h2> <p>Any leaves that will sit below the waterline should be removed. Leaves left in water decompose quickly, creating bacteria that clog stems and shorten flower life.</p> <h2>Location matters</h2> <p>Keep your flowers away from:</p> <ul> <li>Direct sunlight, which causes premature wilting</li> <li>Heat sources such as radiators and appliances</li> <li>Draughts from windows or doors</li> <li>Fruit bowls, as ripening fruit releases ethylene gas</li> </ul> <h2>Flower food: friend or foe?</h2> <p>Those little packets of flower food contain three useful ingredients: sugar to feed the bloom, a tiny amount of bleach to keep bacteria down, and acid to help water uptake. They're worth using. If you run out, a homemade mix of 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of bleach and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice per litre of water works well.</p> <h2>Care for popular flowers</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Roses:</strong> remove damaged outer guard petals and recut the stems every few days.</li> <li><strong>Tulips:</strong> they keep growing in the vase, so trim the stems regularly and enjoy their movement.</li> <li><strong>Hydrangeas:</strong> these thirsty blooms love a misting. If they wilt, submerge the whole head in water for an hour.</li> <li><strong>Lilies:</strong> remove the pollen anthers to prevent staining and extend the bloom.</li> </ul> <h2>The ice cube trick</h2> <p>For wilting flowers, try floating a few ice cubes on the surface of the water. The gradual cooling can help revive tired blooms.</p> <h2>When to say goodbye</h2> <p>Remove spent flowers promptly. As blooms die they release ethylene gas, which speeds up the ageing of the flowers around them. With these simple steps you can expect a bouquet to last 7–10 days, and sometimes longer. The secret is consistency: fresh water, a clean vase and regular stem trimming. Happy flower enjoying!</p>