Cut flowers sitting in vases are at risk of dying early as the overbearing heat threatens to shorten their life-span – that’s unless you take extra precautions
Displaying a bouquet of flowers is one of life’s simple pleasures, but be warned your floral blooms may wilt prematurely this weekend.
Saturday, June 20 is the first day this year where temperatures are set to skyrocket to 34C making it hard for an array of plants to survive the heat. The hot weather is not expected to subside for days, which means flowers and plants will be suffering for a prolonged period.
Expert David Denyer at eFlorist has shared some quick and simple ways to try and keep your cut flowers nourished in their vases – and it mostly involves just being a bit proactive.
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Even a short burst of extreme heat can cause lasting damage to plants, particularly container flowers and cut arrangements, he said. “Cut flowers should be moved indoors, away from direct sunlight or warm appliances.”
This means keeping flowers on window sills is a big no, and keeping them away from hot appliances such as cookers in the kitchen is also advised.
He continued: “Recut stems at a 45-degree angle and place in fresh, cool water, changing it daily. Add flower food if you have it, or a teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of lemon juice as a homemade alternative.”
Lemon juice can be bought from major retailers such as Sainsbury’s for as little as 80p, or 90p from M&S. Many of us have sugar handy in the kitchen for tea and coffee purposes.
How best to cut your stems
In terms of cutting stems the Royal Horticultural Society recommends using a sharp knife or shears to make a clean cut. This is said to maximise water absorption. It also says to remove foliage below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth.
While the usual advice is to recut stems every few days when changing the water, eFlorist has recommended upping this to daily all the time the heat is here in England.
The RHS continues: “Place the stems straight into a bucket of water or as soon as possible after cutting.”
In terms of where to place your vases or potted plants, Mr Denyer added: “Provide shade where possible. Move potted plants to shaded patios, under trees, or behind taller plants. Use garden fleece, parasols, or even an old sheet to shield delicate flowers for the day.”
If you’re wondering when to water your outdoor plants, Mr Denyer gives a strict timeframe. He said: “Water before 9 am or after 7 pm,” David advises. Midday sun evaporates water quickly and can even scorch foliage. Morning watering is ideal. It gives the soil time to absorb the moisture before heat sets in.”