6 Ways to Make Flowers Last Longer
The noted floral artists at Celadon & Celery Events run workshops in New York, where they are based, and now in Los Angeles, where I attended a class last weekend. When I walked out of the 90-minute tutorial, I may not have quite been able to trick out an entire party space for VH1 or Mercedes-Benz, as the company does. But I had an arrangement and a bouquet in two reusable tote bags-together, easily worth the $300 cost of the class itself. (My creation made of dahlias, lamb's ears, orchids, lily grass, roses, and calla lilies are now brightening the cocodot office.)
Get the best tips on how to light your party and get your guests flirting.
Here's some advice you can use even if you never take up the floral arts. These tips will help keep flowers healthy and happy longer, whether you arrange them yourself, buy them at a store, or are lucky enough to receive them as a gift.
Clean vases with bleach or antibacterial soap. Flowers are very susceptible to damage from bacteria that forms on unclean vessels.
Don't add sugar or soda pop to vase water. Those popular yet misguided tricks don't keep flowers alive longer, but rather hasten their demise.
To keep blossoms in place inside a vase, use a ball of chicken wire at the bottom of the vessel, or place clear tape in a grid at the opening. Don't use foam blocks, which decrease the life of your flowers by choking off their water supply.
We all know to trim stems. The longer and higher that diagonal cut is, the more water your buds will absorb.
Here's how to keep hydrangeas (Madonna's favorite. Not.) hydrated. After you've made that diagonal cut at the bottom of the stem, cut into it vertically, as well. Those shredded fibers will help soak up water.
To revive a wilting rose, dunk its head into cold water for about a minute.
You can see some of Celadon & Celery's work on the company's website, which also has the schedule of upcoming workshops. And click here for cocodot's lush range of floral-themed cards, invitations, and greetings! -Liz Lamb
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