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Fabulous blooms and where to find them
Conditioning is simply a fancy word florists use to mean preparing flowers for use. The purpose of conditioning your flowers before arranging them is two-fold: to ensure you don't have to fumble around with messy flowers during the arranging process, and secondly, to make sure your flowers last as long as possible.
Remove your flowers from their packaging or bouquet form and gently take off any tape or string binding them together. Condition them and place them immediately into a vase filled with clean water. This allows each stem to absorb water independently and helps prevent premature wilting.
Ideally, you should purchase your flowers at least a day in advance and condition them so they have sufficient time to take in water and bloom to an optimal state. Certain flowers such as lilies and alstroemerias require at least 2 days to reach their optimal bloom state. Place your conditioned flowers in warm water in a warm place to encourage blooming.
Once bloomed, place your flowers in a clean vase filled with 2-3 inches of fresh water maximum. Keep them away from direct sunlight and strong winds to extend their vase life.
Flowers fresh from the wholesalers typically last about 5 to 7 days in an air-conditioned environment, or about 3 to 4 days in open conditions. However, certain measures can be taken to significantly extend the longevity of your flowers.
Remove your flowers from their packaging or bouquet form and gently take off any tape or string binding them together. Condition them and place them immediately into a vase filled with clean water. This allows each stem to absorb water independently and helps prevent premature wilting.
Ensure that there are no leaves submerged in the water, as rotting leaves will cause bacteria to grow, which reduces the flower's ability to absorb water. Change the water in the vase daily and wash the vase thoroughly with soap each time. This keeps the water clean and free from bacterial buildup.
Every few days, trim approximately half a centimetre off the bottom of each stem with a sharp knife. A layer of skin grows over the cut end, reducing the flower's ability to absorb water, so fresh cuts allow better water uptake.
Add flower food to the water for its anti-bacterial properties, or use a few drops of bleach as an alternative. This helps keep the water fresh and extends the life of your flowers.
For specific care instructions for individual flowers, please refer to each flower's dedicated page in our guide.