When you order fresh flowers from you local florist, they will arrive in a special mixture of water and floral preservative. This preservative is essential for keeping your flowers fresh for as long as possible. Read on to discover exactly what this mixture is and how you should use it to keep flowers bright and beautiful.
What is Floral Preservative?
Floral preservative is a powdered or liquid solution that dissolves in water. This solution usually contains a mixture of microorganism inhibitor, a sucrose solution, and a respiratory inhibitor. When a flower is removed from the mother plant, its connection to food, water, and energy is severed. A floral preservative is specially engineered to provide a replacement for the essential elements the flower can no longer obtain naturally. It also helps to prevent premature decay and balance the acidity of the water.
How Do I Use Floral Preservatives?
If you’ve ever purchased wrapped bouquets of flowers, you may have noticed the packet of powder that comes with them. This is the preservative. With arranged flowers, the preservative is already in the water. However, your florist may provide an additional supply of the preservative with arranged flowers. The first step is to talk to your florist about obtaining a few packets of the preservative to use for the duration of your flowers’ life.
To use the preservative, add the entire packet to a jar of warm water and stir gently. It should dissolve easily. Use this mixture to water your floral arrangement and change the water completely every other day or so. If you take your flowers out of water in order to change the water, cut about half an inch off the bottom of the stems at an angle before placing them back in the container.
For more information about floral preservatives or to order flowers for a holiday, special occasion, or everyday event, contact Connells Maple Lee Flowers & Gifts by calling (614) 808-1693. We also offer wedding flowers, gift baskets, and gift ideas, so call us today.