Putting flowers in a vase: 9 tips to enjoy your bouquet for as long as possible

Tip 1: Choose the perfect vase

Before you can put your bouquet in a vase, you need a vase. Do not choose just any vase, choose a ceramic or glass vase that is the perfect size and shape for your flowers.

If your flowers have been sent by Amsterdam Flowers, it is a large bouquet and you will need to give it plenty of space. An hourglass vase, such as a drop vase or chalice vase, is usually perfect because it gives the bouquet both support and space.

In terms of diameter, it is important that the vase does not squeeze the stems, but provides enough support. In terms of height, we always recommend choosing a vase that is approximately 30% to 50% of the height of the bouquet.

Tip 2: Clean the vase

The worst enemies of cut flowers are fungi and bacteria. It is therefore very important to keep the vase free of these little creatures. Thoroughly cleaning the vase before you put a new bouquet in it - or even better, immediately after you remove the old one - is essential if you want to enjoy your flowers for a long time. This is why we recommend smooth ceramic or glass vases: they are easier to keep clean than plastic or brittle stone vases. A few cleaning tips:

- A brush combined with all-purpose cleaner and lukewarm water will usually do the trick.

- Rinse the vase first to remove the most stubborn dirt.

- Rinse the vase after washing to remove any soap residue.

- Is your vase really dirty? You can use vinegar to remove stubborn stains and dirt.

- We advise against the use of chlorine and chemicals.

Tip 3: Remove the bouquet from the packaging

It may seem obvious to many, but it is often not done properly: remove the flowers completely from the packaging. The packaging - no matter how beautiful it looks - is only there to transport and deliver the bouquet. So remove all the wrapping material and do not forget the ribbon. In this way, you will only be left with pure nature and you will reduce the risk of infection.

Tip 4: Remove low hanging leaves

Leaves and leaf debris in the water can also be disastrous for the quality of your vase water. Leaves often contain pesticides, fertilisers or micro-organisms (such as bacteria and fungi). If you leave them hanging in the water after putting the flowers in the vase, they will multiply and you will soon get infections that affect the flowers. Our advice is to make sure that no part of the bouquet is under water, apart from the stems.

Tip 5: Fill the vase with tap water

After removing the bouquet from the packaging, wait a moment before cutting the stems. Fill the vase about halfway with water. You don't need to use sparkling or demineralised water: regular tap water will do. This water does not need to be lukewarm, despite what you might read online. The temperature of tap water is 10-15ºC, which is perfect for almost all types of flowers, and cut flower food dissolves well in it.

Has the bouquet been travelling for a long time and have the stems been dry for a long time? It is possible that air has got into the stems and blocked the veins. In this case, ice-cold water will help. The cold water will dissolve the air bubbles, allowing better water absorption and a longer-lasting bouquet.

Tip 6: Add flowerfood

Have you received your bouquet from Amsterdam Flowers? Then you will always receive a bag of flower food. Of course, you can also use your own flower food, as long as it is of good quality. Adding the flower food is simple: open the bag and add the contents to the water. The food will dissolve by itself.

Tip 7: Cut the stems diagonally with a sharp knife

Now that your vase is completely ready and the flowers are loose on the table in front of you, it is time to cut off the stems. Why is this necessary? Quite simply, like a person with a wound, a kind of scab forms where the grower has cut off the stem. This is how the flower protects itself against bacteria, fungi and dehydration. Super clever, but the downside is that the flower can no longer absorb water properly. Cutting off a piece of the stem will remove the scab and free up the veins.

We recommend removing about two centimetres of the stem. Use a sharp knife and cut diagonally at an angle of about 45 degrees. This is the easiest way to cut and creates a nice smooth surface where bacteria and fungi cannot adhere.

Once you have cut off a stem, put it straight into water. If you do not do this immediately, the flower will form another scab and will not be able to absorb the water properly. You can also arrange the bouquet flower by flower in your own vase for the most beautiful result.

Tip 8: Put the vase of flowers in the right place

Vase full? Then it's time to give them a nice place. There are a number of things to keep in mind to ensure your flowers stay beautiful for as long as possible. In short, the best place for cut flowers is a cool spot, out of direct sunlight and draughts, and away from fruit. In most cases, the middle of the table or on a sideboard is perfect.

You want to avoid high temperatures and temperature fluctuations, as this will cause your flowers to dry out too quickly. The same applies to draughts from open windows, air conditioners and fans: these cause the water in the petals to evaporate too quickly and should be avoided.

And be careful with fruit baskets and the like, as the ethylene gas emitted by fruit affects the ageing process of plants, including your fresh cut flowers. Bouquets placed near fruit will therefore age more quickly and drop their leaves and buds sooner.

Tip 9: Take care of your bouquet and enjoy it for as long as possible

If you follow all the tips above, your flowers will look perfect in the vase and you won't have to worry about them for at least a week or two: just give them a little extra water now and then.

But do you really want to get the most out of your vase? Then replace the water and cut flower food every two to four days, depending on how dirty the water is. Also remove leaves and other debris by rinsing or even cleaning the vase. It may also help to cut off the stems from time to time so that the vases can continue to absorb water perfectly. In this way, you can take good care of your flowers and enjoy your bouquet to the full!