Professional Flower Care Advice from St Luke's Florists

St Luke's Flowers Care – Time-Tested Advice from Local Florists

At Florist St Luke's, our team has been serving the local community with expertise and passion for all things floral. Whether you’ve just received a stunning bouquet for your home, are preparing for a wedding, or are adding a welcoming touch to your business, keeping your flowers fresh and vibrant is essential. Our St Luke's flower care tips have been tested by our expert florists across every season, helping flowers look their best for as long as possible.

Expert Florist Insights: The Foundations of Flower Care

Our skilled St Luke’s florists understand that every flower is unique. However, there are foundational steps you can take to extend the beauty and life of any arrangement:

• Choose a Clean Vase: Always start with a thoroughly washed vase, as bacteria are the number one cause of premature wilting.
• Fresh, Cool Water: Change the water daily or every other day. Use cool or room temperature water for most flowers, but bulbs like tulips and daffodils prefer cooler water.
• Trim Stems Correctly: Cut stems at an angle (about 45 degrees) under running water. This maximises the surface area for drinking and prevents airlocks that stop water intake.
• Remove Foliage Below Water Level: Leaves submerged in water will rot, causing bacteria build-up. Remove any foliage that would fall below the waterline before arranging in the vase.
• Feed Your Flowers: Use the flower food provided. It contains crucial nutrients and anti-bacterial agents. If you run out, a teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of bleach can serve as a last resort—but don’t overdo it.

Seasonal Tips for Caring for St Luke’s Flowers

Flowers respond differently depending on the time of year. With years of arranging flowers for St Luke’s households, weddings, and businesses, our florists have gathered tips for every season:

Spring and Summer Care

During the warmer months:

• Keep Bouquets Cool: Avoid direct sunlight and hot spots, like windowsills or radiators, which cause flowers to wilt faster.
• Hydration is Critical: Flowers lose water more quickly in the heat. Check and refill the vase daily.
• Prune Regularly: Remove fading flowers or leaves promptly to prevent ethylene gas from accelerating ageing in other blooms.

Autumn and Winter Care

As temperatures drop and central heating comes on:

• Avoid Heat Sources: Do not place arrangements near heaters or fireplaces. The dry, hot air can cause petals to shrivel.
• Monitor for Drafts: Cold drafts can also damage delicate flowers. Place arrangements away from open windows or doors.
• Less Frequent Water Changes: Cooler temperatures mean evaporation slows, but always check water clarity and top up as needed.

Vase Life Hacks from Our St Luke's Florists

Our experienced florists have developed handy tricks for maximising vase life. Here are some of their top secrets:

• Aspirin or Penny in the Vase: In a pinch, adding a crushed plain aspirin or a clean copper coin can inhibit bacterial growth and keep stems clear.
• Mist the Blooms: Some flowers, like orchids and hydrangeas, benefit from a regular misting to keep petals plump and vibrant.
• Support Tall Blooms: For arrangements with tall stems (like lilies or gladioli), use floral tape to form a grid on the vase opening. This offers extra support and helps position stems precisely.
• Rotate Arrangements: Phototropic flowers (those that turn toward light) will grow more evenly if you gently rotate the vase every day or two.
• Separate Ethylene Producers: Some flowers and fruits release ethylene gas (e.g., lilies, tulips, and bananas). Keep these apart to avoid accelerating wilting.

Special Flower Types – Tailored Care from St Luke's Florists

Not all flowers play by the same rules. Here’s how our St Luke’s flower experts suggest caring for popular types:

• Roses: Remove any submerged leaves, recut stems frequently, and refresh water every other day. Keep them away from fruit bowls to prevent ethylene damage.
• Tulips: Keep upright with only a shallow amount of water. These continue to grow in the vase, so regular trimming helps.
• Sunflowers: Use tall, narrow vases for support and provide plenty of clean, fresh water for their large, thirsty stems.
• Hydrangeas: Submerge wilted heads in cool water for 30 minutes to revitalise. Mist regularly to keep blooms lush.
• Orchids: Misting is key, and avoid getting water in the crown of the plant to prevent rot.

Florist St Luke’s Care for Events and Businesses

Serving local weddings and businesses, our St Luke’s florists tailor flower care to occasion and environment:

• Event Arrangements: Store large displays in a cool, dark area as long as possible before displaying. Hydrate arrangements again just prior to use.
• Corporate Spaces: Reception bouquets last longer if kept out of direct air-conditioning flow and are checked daily for water levels.
• Wedding Bouquets: To keep them pristine, store in water until just before the event and lightly mist delicate petals before walking down the aisle.

Common Flower Care Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

With every stunning delivery of St Luke’s flowers, proper aftercare means the difference between days of joy and fleeting beauty. Here are mistakes we see most often—and what our florists recommend instead:

• Neglecting Water Changes: Even the sturdiest flowers can’t thrive in murky water. Add a reminder to your calendar if you’re likely to forget.
• Placing Arrangements Near Fruit: Fruiting bowls emit ethylene gas, which speeds up the ageing of delicate flowers.
• Trimming Stems Only Once: Every few days, recut stems to maintain water absorption. This single action can add days to your arrangement’s life.

Final Tips from Your Local St Luke’s Florists

Our advice for keeping St Luke’s flowers fresh has been refined through years of experience and countless happy customers across homes, ceremonies, and businesses. Always trust your instincts, and if a flower or arrangement seems tired, act quickly—whether that means trimming, changing water, or pulling out spent blooms to leave the rest looking gorgeous.

Above all, enjoy your arrangement. Flowers bring life and meaning to any space, and with the right care, you can savour their freshness for days and even weeks. For more tailored St Luke’s florist flower care tips, our team is always here to help!