Are you planning to make a flower arrangement using flowers in season? There are many places you can visit to scout for fresh-cut flowers in season. You can select tropical flowers as well as international blooms from an online florist service. But, for the freshest varieties, you can check a well-known Singapore florist shop location, a flower farm, the local grocery store, or a flower market.
Fresh-cut flowers are suitable for every occasion. You can gift them as birthday flowers, make a romantic hand bouquet, or let your blooms decorate your place. Express flower delivery can also sometimes provide you with fresh blooms. If you want to hand-pick fresh flowers, you can personally visit your local flower source and do some fresh flower hunting.
So, how do you get the most out of your fresh flowers? How do you make sure that you purchase the freshest flowers in today’s market? Read on for tips on shopping for fresh-cut flowers.
Stay Away from Full Blooms
If you’re not in a rush to gift the bouquet of flowers, you might as well give the flowers some time to bloom in your own space. Steer clear of the flower section where the cut flowers are already in full bloom. To enjoy your flowers longer, opt for the flower buds that are still beginning to blossom. Full blooms can suffer during transportation and handling.
For tulips and lilies, buy cut flowers that are still green at the bottom and fully closed. However, the color of the flower should already be visible at the tips. Closed blooms will grow in a vase at home.
Test for Care
The best flowers to choose are those that are well-hydrated. The petals should not appear limp or show veins. Further, look for signs of damage on the flowers. Check the stems if they are pinched, bent, or broken. If so, the flower won’t drink water and nutrients for long.
Pest-Free
Do a careful inspection of the cut flowers which you are about to buy. Check the leaves for any holes made by caterpillars or any insects. Powdery residue and spotty patterns are also a sign that the flowers are infested by insects or some disease.
Test the Waters
Take a look at the quality of the water where the blooms are placed in. Check for rotten leaves that have fallen into the water or murky water. If rotten petals and leaves are left in the vase for too long, the flower may have already started the rotting process. Also, check to see if any of the petals or leaves are turning brown or yellow.
The Petal Test
Slide your fingers carefully from the stem to the undersides of the petals for a faint rustling sound which is a sign of fresh flowers. The petals should feel firm when touched. The petals should not appear wilting, discolored, transparent, or faded. Check for loose pollen and seeds inside the flowers which indicate they were cut past their prime.
The Stem Test
Aside from broken and bent stems which are obvious signs that you should skip on that flower, don’t purchase flowers with soft stems. Further, discolored stems can also indicate bacteria growth inside the stems. Not changing the water often enough can cause bacteria to grow, multiply, and contaminate the leaves and petals. Flowers with slimy stems are also a big no-no.
Inspect the ends of the stems as well. Green or white stem ends mean that the flowers are fresh-cut. Stem ends that are frayed, brownish, or yellowish are no longer fresh.
The Leaves Test
Ensure that the flowers you buy have green and firm-looking leaves. Flowers with sagging, yellowish, or brownish leaves are already wilting. Speckles on the leaves also signify bacteria growth n the leaves. Stay away from flowers with leaves that have holes as this indicates the plant was infested before cutting. Ensure the small leaves at the flower head are green.
In-Season Flowers
It is best to avoid off-season blooms. Flowers that have gone through shipping may have also experienced over-handling and distress. Choose the types of flowers that you will enjoy looking at all week and possibly longer with great care. The flowers that catch your eyes instantly when you visit the florists in Singapore signify your interest. However, remember not to buy full blooms as these are often the ones that catch our eyes in an instant.
Avoid Pre-Mixed Bouquets
When shopping at the local grocery store or flower shop, you may be tempted to purchase a floral arrangement made by an expert florist. Not only does a pre-arranged bouquet cost more, it is also often nearing the end of its lifespan. As these are already bundled and wrapped in cellophane, these flowers tend to wilt fast.
Buy from the Source
A great way to make sure you purchase fresh-cut flowers is to be the one to cut them. If you can find a local flower farm, ask about their harvest dates for the flowers you love. You can also have this flower delivery to your home at an added cost.
Flowers markets are also a good place to buy fresh-cut flowers in bulk. As always, do the stem, leaves, petal, and water test for freshness. You can also ask your local florist for advice if you’re not yet confident in your skills of finding fresh-cut flowers on your own.
