We’re not all interior decorators at heart. For some of us, buying flowers is a great way of adding a little colour (and a delicate aroma) to the house, without having to go to the bother of trying out complicated DIY and arts and crafts, which are bound to be beyond our capabilities! However, the disadvantage of bouquets of flowers is that they die fairly quickly, and creating beautiful floral arrangements is not always easy. Here are a few simple tips to help you out.
1) Cut the stems at a 45° angle to increase the surface area that absorbs water.
2) Support the process of the petals opening by placing them in hot water for 1 minute and then afterwards into cold water for 20 minutes. The petals will open to the maximum.
3) Add vodka to preserve and perfect your flowers.
Before putting your flowers in a vase, add a few drops of vodka and a dessertspoon of white sugar to prevent them from wilting too quickly. When the flowers start to die and the tips start to droop, add a little more vodka to the water to keep them upright for another day or two.
4) To give your orchids the perfect amount of water, place one ice cube onto the earth each week.
5) To keep flowers with short stems in place, make a criss-cross on the vase you are going to use with the ribbon from the bouquet.
6) For an original look, place your vase into a larger vase, into which you can pour water and add a decoration of your choice (such as citrus fruits!)
You can also tie a pretty ribbon or a piece of lace around the vase to make it more elegant still.
7) A copper coin at the bottom of the vase will acidify the flower water and keep it fresh and clear for longer.
8) To really show off your roses, cross the stems for a surprising and professional effect.
Source : Cosmopolitan