Buying flowers for those who are dear to us, we want not just to give a bouquet, but to create a certain mood, to show their attitude. Whether it is a loved one, a close relative, colleague, friend or the first teacher of our child. Agree, I would not like an elegant bouquet the next day or the same evening turned into a dim broom. To prevent this from happening, let’s talk about the most common mistakes made by shoppers in a flower shop. And at the same time we will tell you how to understand whether a fresh flower is in front of you or not.
Error № 1. Buy a ready-made bouquet or composition from the shop window
As a rule, they are enough for those who are late or do not want to bother with the selection of colors. They see a ready-made solution that fits the budget, take a bright composition or a large bouquet and are happy to leave the flower salon.
However, there is a high probability that the flower stalks will soon be covered with unpleasant mucus, the buds will wither and the petals will fall off. The fact is that such prefabricated compositions often include flowers that failed to be realized in time: this is their last chance to be sold. Stale flowers are masked by painting in bright colors, adding sequins, lush ruffles and “skirts” from the packaging under each bud. There are also affected flowers: for example, those whose leg was broken, so it had to be greatly shortened, and the flower itself is planted in a plastic capsule with water.
Remember the basic rule: the more jewelry and props, the worse the flowers themselves. Fresh buds and greens do not need extra tinsel, they are beautiful even in the form of a mono-bouquet. If you still want to make a complex bouquet of several types of flowers, choose each of them yourself to make sure the freshness and durability of the bouquet.
The exception is online stores with delivery. The compositions presented on the sites are exemplary samples, in fact, each bouquet is collected immediately after ordering, due to the fact that making them in advance is simply unprofitable.
Error № 2. Choose fully bloomed flowers
Of course, they look more beautiful, lush and winning. However, a flower that has fully unfolded its petals will not last long in the vase. It is best to choose semi-closed flowers or make a combination of open flowers and unblown buds. To make sure that the buds open, pay attention to their elasticity and color: they should not be sluggish and yellowed.
To understand that in front of you is really a fresh flower, consider the sepals. They are also called “first letter” or “shirt”. These are the lowest petals, which are closest to the leg. If they are loose to the bud or have turned yellow, then the flower has long since opened and will soon fade. If the first leaf is not there at all, but the bud is closed, then the unscrupulous seller cut off the extreme petals to hide the “second freshness” of the flower. This trick is often done, for example, with roses.
Error № 3. Do not look at the leg
Most often we choose and evaluate a flower by its bud, while a stalk can tell a lot about its condition. Therefore, it should be carefully inspected before the seller cuts a couple of inches.
Choose plants with strong straight stems – for such nutrients get to the bud faster. It’s easy to check the strength: grab the bottom of the leg and hold it upright. A fresh healthy flower should not bend or bend. Pay attention to the color of the leg: it should not be dark or yellow spots, scratches, dents, dots and even more insects. Gently run a nail along the bottom of the leg: if the slippery part has separated, then the flower is far from fresh.
Pay attention to the number of leaves: they should be fresh, juicy, without white plaque and signs of dryness or lethargy. If they are rotten and dull, then the flower has long been in the water. If there are almost no leaves on the stalk, this is also a bad sign. Most likely, they were removed so that they do not rot and are not “snotty”. The seller may say that for this variety of leaf removal is mandatory, but this is no more than a ploy. If the leaves are sluggish, it may be a sign of a damaged stem – such a flower will not last long.
Look carefully at the slice before you have time to update it. If it is yellow or brown and looks dry, then the flower was cut long ago and kept without water for a long time. Too loose, swollen cut indicates that the flowers have been standing in the water for a long time, so there is also a question about their freshness. The correct cut should be juicy, smooth, without plaque, mucus and changes in natural color.
How to understand that you have fresh flowers
In addition to all the above features, we offer several ways to check the freshness of flowers. Let’s analyze the most popular options that are found in almost any store and often fall into bouquets.
- The Rose. Fresh roses have elastic, slightly open buds. It’s easy to check: shake the bud slightly and see how the petals behave. If they are actively moving, then the flowers have only a couple of days to live. Fresh petals are elastic: if you bend them a little from the bud, they immediately return.
- Tulip.The buds of fresh tulips should be tightly closed and have a green base. The presence of straps on the flowers is not a good sign. Most likely, these are already blooming plants, which are not specifically allowed to unfold in order to preserve their marketability.
- Alstroemeria. Stamens will tell about the freshness of alstroemerias: if they are greenish, then the flower has blossomed recently. And darkened stamens will show that he has already managed to stand open for several days. It is good if there are many buds in the bouquet: such flowers will open gradually and please the eye longer.
- Chrysanthemum. Shrub chrysanthemum should be elastic, without dry buds, with succulent leaves on the stem. The middles of fresh flowers can be yellow or green (but not black!), The leaves are elastic and bright.
- Peony. Buy peonies only in the form of dense or slightly open “balls” so that they have time to please their owner. These flowers crumble very quickly after opening, so feel free to give them in buds.
Coolness and regular change of water will help to prolong the life of cut flowers in a vase. The bouquet will stand better if you remove it from the packaging, and add a tablespoon of sugar or a special solution to the water.
