Keep your bunch looking bloomin' beautiful this February 14th and beyond

<p>Receiving a beautiful bunch of flowers is surely one of the best things about Valentine's Day, but stopping them from wilting can be challenging &ndash; especially during winter or summer when our homes are heated or particularly balmy. </p><p>Flowers should be kept away from extreme temperatures (beware of radiators and drafty windows) &ndash; they like cool rooms.</p><p>According to Morgan Douglas Nuth, one of the UK&rsquo;s leading floral designers and director of <a href="https://www.oldoakflorist.co.uk/default.aspx" target="_blank">Old Oak Floral Designers</a>, a bunch of flowers should last at least 7 days. </p><p>To help make sure they do exactly that, Morgan's shared some of his top tips and tricks. <br> </p><h2>Refresh water often</h2><p>"Fresh water is paramount," says Morgan. "Ideally, you should change the water as regularly as you can. Every couple of days would be ideal because then you are not allowing any bacteria to build up in your vase. Bacteria is the biggest killer of flowers, so the prevention of bacteria is good because it will help increase the longevity."</p><p>With that in mind, remember to clean your vases thoroughly in between uses.</p><p>Remember that flowers also drink through their petals, so try misting them with a spray bottle. Some flowers, like hydrangeas, can be entirely submerged in water for 40 minutes or so to extend their lifespan.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="extra-special-flowers" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/extra-special-flowers_GL?scl=1" style="height: 478px; width: 400px;"></p><h2>Remove foliage</h2><p> "By removing the foliage, this decreases the surface area where bacteria can grow,"  says Morgan. The vase won't get clogged up with slimy leaves, and any water absorbed will keep the flower itself fresh, rather than foliage.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="asda-roses-cut-out__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/asda-roses-cut-out__square_GL?scl=1" style="width: 502px; height: 486px;"></p><h2>Don't be afraid to cut your flowers</h2><p>Without a doubt, you should always cut your flowers. Morgan says: "Cut them at a good sharp angle, with a good pair of quality scissors. If you cut them at a good sharp angle, you are increasing the surface area that they can drink from.</p><p>"If they are cut flat, they sit on the bottom of the vase and that means they are not drinking.</p><p>"The reason why we say to use a good quality pair of scissors is because if you cut your flowers with a blunt object, you are smashing the stem cells open which can inhibit the way in which they drink."</p><p>Ideally, re-cut your flowers every couple of days, at the same time as replenishing the water.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="extra-special-luxury-bouquet" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/extra-special-luxury-bouquet_GL?scl=1" style="height: 483px; width: 400px;"></p><h2>Always keep flowers out of direct sunlight</h2><p>"Don't put them on your windowsill," warns Morgan. "Put them somewhere where there is obviously light so that you can enjoy them, but don't put them in direct sunlight". Why? Because it causes the flowers to dry out much faster.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="tulips" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/tulips_GL?scl=1" style="height: 486px; width: 400px;"></p><h2>Keep your blooms away from fruit</h2><p>When it comes to the placement of your flowers, avoid putting them next to the fruit bowl. According to Morgan, "when fruit decays, it produces a chemical called ethylene gas which has a detrimental effect on flowers."</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="asda-roses-web__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/asda-roses-web__square_GL?scl=1" style="width: 502px; height: 486px;"></p><h2>Don't listen to old wives' tales</h2><p>From spraying hairspray on flowers to help them last longer to placing a couple of copper coins in the vase - Morgan recommends using flower food as a much longer fix when it comes to keeping your blooms alive. </p><p>He says: "I would never recommend putting any chemicals, like hairspray, on flowers. Flowers need to develop and grow. Putting hairspray on them prevents movement or development."</p><p><em>Want to send flowers to your loved one this Valentine's Day? Find a beautiful bunch <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/shelf/flowers-plants/flowers-plants/_/103241" target="_blank">online</a> or <a href="https://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank">instore</a>. </em></p>

How to make your Valentine's Day flowers last longer

By ASDA Admin,13th February 2019

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