THE warmer weather this year means that British sunflowers are bigger than ever.
To help people who love the bright yellow blooms, a floral expert has shared her advice for keeping cut sunflowers fresh for longer.
Sunflowers will last for longer in your home if you follow expert’s top tips[/caption]
With the right care you can enjoy your sunflowers at home for over a week, as these fresh-cut blooms typically last between five to twelve days in a vase.
But it all depends on how recently they were cut and the way they’re maintained once indoors.
Shelley Davis, flower expert at Flying Flowers, has provided her expert tips for keeping your sunflower bouquets looking their best, whether you’re cutting them from your garden, picking them up in-store, or receiving flowers by post.
Preparation is key
Before transferring your sunflowers into a vase, Shelley suggests: “Sunflowers typically need more water than any other flowering plant, so keeping them hydrated is essential.
“Make sure to trim stems at an angle to increase the surface area for water to absorb, and if possible, always cut stems under water to prevent air bubbles from entering the plant, which can lead to early wilting and reduced vase life.
“This underwater trick is easier with sunflower bouquets than others, as they’re usually displayed in smaller bunches making the process more manageable.
“Removing leaves from your sunflowers will further extend vase life, as leaves take energy away from the flower. By removing leaves, your sunflowers put all their energy into their blossoming heads.”
Feed your flowers well
“Never forget to add flower food to your vase water”, Shelley continues.
“It provides essential nutrients to encourage the petals to open fully and prevents any nasty bacteria forming.
“If you don’t have flower food to hand, you can make some at home. Just add one teaspoon of sugar, one teaspoon of bleach and two teaspoons of lemon juice to a quarter cup of warm water.
“Adding this is to your vase will have a similar effect, as the citric acid helps the flowers absorb water, the bleach prevents bacteria growth, and the sugar provides nourishment”
Keep them away from fruit
Next up, the flower expert revealed that placement is key when it comes to keeping sunflowers fresh for longer.
She says: “Keep your sunflowers away from ripening fruit, as it gives off ethylene gas that speeds up the aging process, causing sunflowers to wilt and decay faster.
“Apples, bananas, pears and tomatoes emit high levels of this gas, so it’s best to store them far apart.”
Avoid direct light and heat
“You should also keep sunflowers out of direct light and heat”, Shelley suggests.
“Without roots, cut sunflowers can’t photosynthesise properly, so they burn energy quicker. Heat also speeds up water loss, causing them to droop and wilt further.
“Find somewhere cool and well ventilated with diffused light for your sunflowers to thrive, but also somewhere where you will still be able to see and enjoy them!”
Vase size matters
When choosing a vase for your sunflowers, Shelley insists that “size matters”.
She says: “Sunflowers have big beaming heads and the thickest stems of any cut flowers, which will benefit from a taller vase with a wide mouth to keep their height supported.
“If your vase doesn’t provide enough support for heavy sunflower heads, consider using floral wire for extra stability.”