Guide to the Worst Things You Can Do with Your Flower Bouquets (If You Want Them to Die Sooner)
If your goal is to ensure your beautiful bouquet wilts and dies prematurely, these are the surefire ways to make it happen:
1. Leave Them in the Packaging
Why it’s bad: Bouquets are often wrapped in plastic or paper, which can trap moisture and encourage mold or prevent the stems from absorbing water.
Death Factor: The flowers won’t get the hydration they need, and mold or rot might set in.
2. Use Dirty Water
Why it’s bad: Dirty water is filled with bacteria, which can clog the stems and prevent water absorption.
Death Factor: Bacteria accelerates the decomposition of flowers.
3. Avoid Trimming the Stems
Why it’s bad: When flowers are cut, their stems seal off. Without trimming, they can’t absorb water effectively.
Death Factor: Dehydration sets in quickly.
4. Keep Them Near Ripening Fruit
Why it’s bad: Fruits like apples and bananas emit ethylene gas, which speeds up the aging of flowers.
Death Factor: Your blooms will wilt and droop in record time.
5. Place Them in Direct Sunlight
Why it’s bad: While flowers grow in sunlight, cut flowers thrive in cooler, shaded areas. Heat accelerates water evaporation and wilting.
Death Factor: Your bouquet will go from vibrant to crispy.
6. Forget to Change the Water
Why it’s bad: Stale water becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. It also smells terrible!
Death Factor: Bacteria in the water shortens the lifespan of the flowers.
7. Skip the Flower Food
Why it’s bad: Flower food contains nutrients that help blooms last longer and discourages bacterial growth.
Death Factor: Without it, your flowers are starving and vulnerable to rot.
8. Expose Them to Drafts or Extreme Temperatures
Why it’s bad: Air conditioners, heaters, or drafts cause rapid temperature changes that stress the flowers.
Death Factor: Petals will fall, and stems may droop or snap.
9. Crowd Them Together
Why it’s bad: Overcrowding restricts airflow, increasing humidity and promoting mold and rot.
Death Factor: Fungal infections can quickly ruin the entire bouquet.
10. Forget to Clean the Vase
Why it’s bad: Residue from previous bouquets harbors bacteria that can attack new flowers.
Death Factor: Even fresh water won’t help if the vase is full of invisible grime.
11. Ignore Wilting Flowers
Why it’s bad: One wilting bloom can release ethylene gas, accelerating the decline of the entire bouquet.
Death Factor: A single dying flower can take down its companions like a floral domino effect.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure your bouquets live a brief, tragic life. If you’d rather enjoy your flowers for as long as possible, simply do the opposite of everything listed here!
