Keep Your Flowers Fresh, Beautiful & Blooming Longer
Flower Care Guide
CARE
How to keep your blooms
longer
Six small rituals, one bloom-by-bloom guide, and the mistakes almost everyone makes. Everything the BlackPetals studio tells clients — now in one place.
The essentials
Six rituals that make a real difference.
01
Trim on arrival
Cut stems at a 45° angle, about 2cm from the base, using sharp scissors. A clean cut lets stems drink freely instead of sealing shut.
02
Fresh water
Fill your vase with clean, room-temperature water and refresh it every 2 days. Warm water shocks blooms; ice-cold water slows them down.
03
Cool spot
Keep away from direct sunlight, fruit bowls (they release ethylene) and A/C vents. Aim for a still, shaded corner.
04
Leaves off
Strip any leaves that would sit below the waterline. Submerged foliage rots quickly and clouds the water.
05
Re-cut mid-week
A quick fresh trim on day 3 helps stems drink better and re-opens closed capillaries. It's the single best-kept florist secret.
06
Feed them
Use the flower food sachet included — or a pinch of sugar plus a drop of vinegar. Sugar feeds, acid keeps bacteria down.
By the bloom
Care, flower by flower.
Roses
7–10 days- Remove guard petals (the tired outer ones) to reveal a fresher bloom. Re-cut under running water — an air bubble in the stem is a rose's biggest enemy. If a head droops, wrap the top 15cm in newspaper, submerge stem in warm water for 30 min.
Tulips
5–7 days- Tulips keep growing after cutting — that's why they lean. Use a tall vase and cool water; they hate warmth. A copper coin in the vase helps stems stay upright.
Lilies
8–12 days- Pinch off the pollen stamens with a tissue — they stain everything. Buds will open one by one over a week if you keep them cool. Keep away from cats: lilies are toxic to them.
Hydrangeas
5–8 days- Hydrangeas drink through their heads as much as their stems — mist daily. If a head wilts, dunk the whole flower in cold water for 30 minutes. Add a splash of alum powder to the water for a stronger drink.
Peonies
5–7 days- Buy them when they feel like a marshmallow — soft, not rock-hard. Gently roll closed buds between your fingers to encourage them open. Once fully open, they're at their peak for 48 glorious hours.
Orchids
2–3 weeks- Cut orchids need less water than you'd think — refresh every 3 days. Avoid the fridge; they bruise easily in cold storage. A humid room (a bright bathroom, for example) extends their life dramatically.
Avoid
Six mistakes almost everyone makes.
01
Leaving the wrap on
Cellophane and paper trap moisture around the stems and speed up rot. Unwrap, trim, and re-arrange in a clean vase within 30 minutes.
02
Topping up without emptying
Adding fresh water to old water just dilutes the bacteria. Empty completely, rinse the vase, refill.
03
Placing near fruit
Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas — it ages your flowers overnight. Keep the fruit bowl on the other side of the room.
04
Direct sun and A/C
Both dry the petals fast. Rotate the vase daily and keep it out of the airflow.
05
Ignoring the wilters
One dying stem contaminates the whole vase. Pull anything past its best out immediately.
06
Using a Dirty Vase
Dirty vases spread bacteria and shorten flower life. Always use a clean vase and fresh water.
FAQ
Care questions we get every week.
How long should a BlackPetals bouquet last?
With the care above, expect 7–10 days for most bouquets, and up to 2 weeks for orchid and lily arrangements.
Can I refrigerate my flowers overnight?
Yes — a cool room (16–18°C) is ideal. Avoid the food fridge, though, because of ethylene.
What is the flower food sachet actually for?
It's a mix of sugar (food), acid (pH balance) and a mild bleach (kills bacteria). Use one sachet per litre of water.
Are BlackPetals bouquets safe around pets?
Not all — lilies, tulips and hydrangeas can be toxic to cats and dogs. Let us know at checkout and we'll build a pet-safe alternative.
