Do you put your flowers in cold or hot water?
That’s the big question when it comes to cut flowers and one that you’ve probably asked yourself each time you’ve been sent some fresh flowers. The quick answer is that using tap water that’s around 50-60°F works well in most instances. This temperature helps to eliminate air bubbles in the stems and allows the plant food to travel up and feed the flowers. The long answer is that there are some situations where you might want to use a different water temperature.
It’s wonderful to be surprised with a bundle of flowers and when you get some, even if they are exotic or unusual flowers, you obviously want to keep them looking their best for as long as possible. Your first inclination is to put them in water, but then comes the age-old question, “what’s the best water temperature for flowers?” Here, we explore different water temperatures for flowers and let you know which temperatures work in which situations.
Warm Water
Florists often plunge new shipments of blooms into water that’s around 100-110°F. They then stash the flowers away in a cool area. The idea behind this process is that the warm stems are able to soak up a lot of water while the cool air up top keeps the blooms fresh. Of course, not every bouquet needs this type of treatment. Many cut flowers will be just fine in some room temperature water, but if you receive a batch of flowers that looks kind of wilty, a couple of hours of time spent in a fridge after being plunged in warm water should be enough to get flowers perked up. After that, they should be ready for some room temperature tap water.
Ice Water
Some people insist that dunking their flowers into an icy cold bath is the best way to freshen them up. After all, if you’re feeling overheated and a bit droopy, a cool shower is a great way to refresh. There is some truth here. Stems often get dried out and develop air pockets during travel and storage. These bubbles coupled with dried out stems prevent water absorption, which leads cut flowers to wilt. An icy dip can help eradicate the bubbles and open the pathways.
Hot or Even Boiling Water
Some people assume that clogged stems can best be cleared by dipping them into some very hot water. While it’s true that hot water often breaks down blockages, it also destroys the stem tissue and encourages bacterial growth. Even worse, heat typically causes flowers to shed their petals more quickly. If you choose to try this technique, you’ll likely be shortening your Bouqs’ life rather than lengthening it.
Tips and Tricks
Now that you have a better understanding of the best water temperature for flowers, there are a few other tips and tricks to keep in mind when preparing your newly acquired bundle.
- Cut flower stems under water to keep air bubbles to a minimum.
- Make sure that any cutting tools you’re using on the stems are super clean and bacteria free.
- Flowers that grow from bulbs tend to prefer cooler water than other flowers. So, if you’re caring for daffodils, tulips, or the like, be sure to give them a cooler drink when you’re changing their water each day.
Being mindful of the best water temperature for flowers is certainly one way to keep your cut flowers looking fresher, but one of the best ways is to start with flowers that haven’t been sitting around. Many retailers sell flowers that have been stored for an extended period of time. This means that by the time they get to you they’re already on their way out. The Bouqs Co. cuts to order so that there aren’t wasted stems and sends them out right away. In fact, your flowers may be delivered in as little as two hours! Next time you’re looking to buy flowers online, come on over to The Bouqs and you’ll find farm-fresh and long-lasting bouquets.
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