Nothing brightens a room or marks a celebration quite like a fresh bouquet of flowers. At Epsom Flowers, our skilled florists bring elegance to households, weddings, and businesses across Epsom. To help you enjoy your floral displays for as long as possible, we've gathered our expert care tips—including seasonal advice and vase life hacks—direct from our experienced Epsom florists. With the right know-how, your flowers can remain vibrant and beautiful for days or even weeks.
Whether you’re placing a yellow rose bouquet on your dining table or setting up grand arrangements for a corporate event, following a meticulous care routine is the key to flower longevity. Here’s our Epsom Flowers step-by-step guide:
1. Start With a Spotless Vase: Cleanliness is crucial. Wash your vase with warm, soapy water to remove any bacteria residues before arranging your flowers. Rinse thoroughly to avoid soap traces, which can harm delicate stems.
2. Fresh Water, Fresh Start: Replenish your vase with cool, fresh water. Condensed water from the tap can contain substances that may reduce vase life, so filtered or boiled and cooled water is ideal, especially for sensitive blooms like lilies or orchids.
3. Trim Stems Correctly: Using a sharp floral knife or clean scissors, trim each stem at a 45-degree angle. This ensures maximum water uptake and prevents stems from sitting flat at the vase bottom, which impedes hydration. For woody stems (roses, hydrangeas), consider making a vertical slit at the bottom to increase surface area for absorption.
4. Remove Lower Foliage: Leaves submerged in water tend to rot and trap bacteria. Remove all foliage below the waterline to keep the water pristine and your blooms healthy.
5. Keep Cool and Out of Sunlight: Most Epsom flowers prefer bright but indirect light. Avoid placing arrangements near radiators, direct sun, open windows, or fruit bowls—some fruits, like bananas and apples, emit ethylene gas that accelerates blooming and wilting.
Our Epsom florists don’t just create beautiful arrangements—they ensure their blooms last. Here are some professional flower care tips to make your flowers Epsom stand out and stay fresh:
Top Up and Change Water Regularly: Change the vase water every 2-3 days, rinsing the vase each time to remove bacteria. Top up with fresh water daily, especially in warm seasons.
Feed Your Flowers: Most bouquets from Epsom Flowers come with a flower food sachet. Use it as directed in fresh water; it contains nutrients and antibacterial agents. No sachet? A pinch of sugar and a few drops of lemon juice can work as a DIY alternative, though nothing beats professional flower food.
Re-cut Stems: Every time you change the water, trim a little off the ends of your flowers at a diagonal. This keeps the water uptake efficient and helps the longevity of your blooms.
Mist Wisely: Exotic and delicate flowers, such as orchids or anemones, benefit from gentle misting with clean water. Avoid soaking petals, as this can cause spotting.
Flowers can behave differently across seasons. Tailor your care routine with these Epsom Flowers tips straight from our local florists:
Spring: Tulips and daffodils are seasonal favourites but can be thirsty. Replenish water often, and for tulips, consider dropping a copper penny into the vase to help keep stems upright.
Summer: With temperatures rising, flowers dehydrate faster. Opt for smaller, frequent water changes and keep flowers in the coolest part of your home or venue. Add crushed ice cubes (avoiding direct petal contact) for a refreshing boost.
Autumn: Richer, sturdier stems such as chrysanthemums and autumnal berries appear. Ensure stems are cut crisply and check arrangements for fallen leaves, which can foul the water.
Winter: Flowers are slower to open in cooler conditions. Keep arrangements away from heating vents, and let tightly closed buds gradually open at room temperature for longer enjoyment.
Looking for insider tricks? Our local Epsom florists recommend these clever hacks for maximising bloom life:
Avoid Crowding: Give each stem room. Overcrowding leads to bruising and impedes air circulation, which can accelerate wilting.
Use Correct Water Level: Some flowers, like roses, prefer full vase water to soak their long stems. Others, such as gerbera or ranunculus, should sit in just a few inches of water to avoid stem rot. Customize levels for each arrangement.
Remove Spent Flowers: As soon as any flower starts to wilt, remove it. This prevents bacterial build-up and gives remaining blooms more space.
Refresh Design: Don’t be afraid to rearrange your flowers as the bouquet ages. Move shorter stems to smaller vases, or cluster delicate blooms for a refined late-stage arrangement.
Our florists regularly supply flowers to weddings and businesses in Epsom, and the care stakes are high for these events. Here’s their top guidance:
For Weddings: Store bouquets and table flowers in a cool, dark space until setup time. Spray arrangements lightly with a water atomiser, and always transport flowers in water whenever possible. For buttonholes and corsages, mist and store in refrigeration but avoid freezing temperatures.
For Businesses: Reception and boardroom arrangements must stay pristine for extended periods. Assign someone the task of daily water changes and flower checks. Where possible, rotate arrangements between spaces with differing light and temperature to extend their peak appearance.
Even the most dedicated flower lover can slip up. Here’s what our Epsom florists most often see, and how to avoid trouble:
Using Dirty Tools: Always use clean, sharp knives or scissors for trimming stems to prevent infection.
Neglecting Hydration: Life gets busy, but neglecting water changes is the most common culprit behind wilting. Set a reminder or make flower care part of your daily routine.
Improper Flower Food Use: Don’t overdo it—a sachet per full vase is enough. Too much can upset the water’s balance and stress flowers.
Meticulous flower care is about more than longevity; it’s key to fragrance, colour vibrancy, and overall bloom quality. Whether you’re welcoming guests to your home, celebrating a special day, or creating a welcoming environment in your business, properly cared-for flowers uplift every Epsom space.
Our florists at Epsom Flowers are passionate about every arrangement that leaves our shop. With these expert care tips, you can be confident that your blooms will remain fresh, fabulous, and full of life—just as intended. From classic roses to exotic lilies, these flower care routines and hacks bring out the very best of Epsom-grown and supplied blooms. Trust in your local experts, and enjoy the difference that professional advice can make to your floral enjoyment, season after season.
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