Avoid heat and direct sunlight
Direct light and heat can encourage bacterial growth, shortening vase life. When transporting fresh flowers, don’t stop for lunch or shopping until the flowers are in a conditioned space.
Provide plenty of fresh, clean water
Fresh flower stems are more ‘open’ and not clogged due to long shipping times and chemicals. Due to this you’ll see that your local flowers will drink a LOT of water. Be sure to give them plenty of fresh, clean water every day.
Remove any leaves in the water
Be sure to remove any leaves from the water each day as you change the water – the leaves will release bacteria and shorten the vase life of your flowers.
Feed your flowers
The open stems of locally-grown fresh flowers means that they will benefit from flower food, helping to extend the vase life by several days! It works best on fresh cut flowers, but can still provide a ‘boost’ days later also. Just give the stems a slight trim every day or two to keep those stems open and drinking.
Run out of flower food? Make your own at home! 1 quart of water + 1 teaspoon bleach + 1 teaspoon vinegar + 1 tablespoon sugar