Putting supermarket flowers in a vase can seem like a simple task, but there are some tips and tricks that can help extend the life of your bouquet. With the right care, supermarket flowers can last over a week looking fresh and vibrant in your home.
Selecting Flowers at the Market
When choosing flowers at the grocery store or supermarket, look for buds that are not fully open. Flowers that are already fully in bloom will have a shorter vase life. Seek out flowers with firm, upright stems and bright, perky blooms. Avoid any flowers that are drooping, wilting, or have brown edges. The leaves should be vibrant green without any spots or markings.
Some great supermarket flower options that last well include:
- Roses
- Carnations
- Chrysanthemums
- Alstroemeria
- Gerbera daisies
Stay away from more delicate flowers like tulips, orchids, lilies, and iris which don’t always fare as well.
Preparing the Vase
Start by thoroughly cleaning your vase with soap and water. Remove any dirt and debris. Fill the vase with room temperature water. Be sure to use fresh water every time you change the flowers. Old water can harbor bacteria that will shorten the vase life.
Consider adding floral preservative or plant food to the water. These contain nutrients as well as anti-bacterial agents to keep the water clean. Follow the instructions on the packaging for how much to use per quart or liter of water. Changing the water every 2-3 days will also help keep bacteria at bay.
Trim the stems at an angle before putting them in water. This exposes more surface area for the stems to absorb water. Remove any leaves or foliage that would sit below the waterline as they can promote bacterial growth.
Conditioning the Flowers
Before arranging supermarket flowers in a vase, it’s best to rehydrate and condition them. Start by unwrapping the flowers from any plastic or paper. Remove any rubber bands or wraps holding the stems together. Gently wash the stems under room temperature water to remove dirt or debris.
Next, cut about 1-2 inches from the bottom of each stem at a diagonal angle. This fresh cut will allow the stems to better absorb water. Immediately place the freshly cut stems in warm water around 100°F. Let them sit for 30 minutes to a few hours. The warm water quickly rehydrates the stems.
You can add floral preservative or sugar to this initial water bath. The sugar acts as flower food, providing energy to the blooms. Alternatively, you can use lemon-lime soda or apple cider vinegar in the water which act as acids to break down blockages in the stems.
Arranging the Flowers
Once conditioned, cut each stem again at an angle before transferring to your vase. Make sure no leaves sit below the waterline. Arrange the flowers how you like, keeping in mind balance and texture. Aim for different heights, varieties, and colors.
Here are some quick tips for arranging supermarket flowers:
- Group like flowers together for visual impact
- Alternate large and small blooms throughout
- Add filler like baby’s breath or greenery for fullness
- Layer the tallest stems in back, shortest in front
Feel free to be creative – there’s no wrong way to arrange supermarket flowers! Once arranged how you like, top off the vase with more fresh water and floral preservative. Mist the flowers lightly before displaying.
Caring for Your Flowers
To maximize the vase life of supermarket flowers, follow these care tips:
- Keep vase water fresh by changing every 2-3 days
- Recut stems by 1-2 inches whenever water is changed
- Top off water as needed in between changes
- Display flowers out of direct sunlight to avoid wilting
- Mist flowers daily with room temperature water
- Consider covering flowers loosely with plastic at night
- Move flowers to a cooler spot at night
With the right start, most supermarket flowers can last 7-14 days in the vase. Signs flowers are nearing the end of their vase life include wilting, drooping, browning petals, or slimy stems.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your supermarket flowers are not lasting, try these troubleshooting tips:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Wilting/Drooping Flowers | Recut stems and change water using floral preservative. Condition again in warm water for 1-2 hours. |
| Cloudy Water | Change vase water and clean vase thoroughly. Add additional preservative. |
| Slimy Stems | Recute stems and change water. Ensure no leaves are underwater. Add bleach or vinegar to water. |
| Browning Petals | Move flowers out of direct sunlight. Recut stems and change water. Mist flowers daily. |
Be sure you are replenishing the water levels in the vase frequently. Bacteria multiply quickly in old water. Follow the care tips above to counteract issues and keep your flowers looking beautiful.
Alternative Flower Foods
Don’t have floral preservative on hand? You can use a number of household products as flower food instead:
- Lemon-lime soda: The citric acid helps break down blockages in stems
- Vodka or gin: About 1⁄4 cup per vase prevents bacterial growth
- Bleach: 1⁄2 teaspoon bleach per quart of water for anti-bacterial properties
- Apple cider vinegar: 1-2 tablespoons per quart of water provides acidity
- Sugar: 1⁄4 cup sugar per quart of water as flower food
- Pennies: A copper penny in the vase water provides mild anti-bacterial action
Just make sure you clean the vase thoroughly between each change. The small amounts of acidity, alcohol, or bleach will not harm the flowers and can effectively extend vase life.
Adding Special Touches
Looking to go beyond basic flowers in a vase? Consider these ideas to upgrade your supermarket bouquets:
- Mix flowers with greenery like ferns or eucalyptus
- Add accent decorations like ribbons or stones
- Use decorative vases, bottles, or jars for unique arrangements
- Incorporate fruits, vegetables, or herbs
- Layer flowers with twigs, moss, pinecones, etc.
- Include filler flowers like baby’s breath or lavender
The possibilities are endless! Let your creativity run wild to make your supermarket flowers stand out.
Drying and Pressing Flowers
Don’t want to throw away your flowers once they expire? Consider drying or pressing them to extend their life even further. Here are some options:
- Air dry upside down: Hang stems bundled together in a dry, dark place. Flowers retain shape.
- Press in a book: Place between book pages under weight to flatten. Great for delicate flowers.
- Use a drying agent: Pack flowers in a box with silica gel to absorb moisture.
- Hang to dry: Attach flowers to a hanger with wire to air dry upside down.
Dried or pressed flowers can be used to make potpourri, crafts, cards, framed artwork, and more. It lets you enjoy the flowers long after their vase life is over.
Enjoying Flowers Responsibly
When purchasing supermarket flowers, aim to be an ethical and eco-conscious consumer. Here are some tips:
- Look for fair trade, organic, and locally-grown flowers when possible
- Avoid species that are endangered or harmful to environment
- Dispose properly – compost or reuse parts once expired
- Repurpose vases and arrange flowers in eco-friendly way
- Reduce waste by fully utilizing flowers before they expire
With proper care at home, you can maximize flower freshness so none go to waste. By buying selectively and responsibly disposing, your supermarket flowers can positively impact people, communities, and the planet.
Conclusion
Arranging supermarket flowers in a vase can seem daunting, but just requires some preparation and TLC. Conditioning the stems, changing the water consistently, and following proper care tips will have your grocery store bouquets lasting up to two weeks. Troubleshoot issues quickly and your flowers will stay perky. With creativity and responsibility, supermarket flowers can bring affordable beauty to your home while also caring for the earth.
