Flower Care Guide — Aveline Garden

First 24 Hours

The first day is the most critical. Proper initial care sets the foundation for a long vase life and prevents premature wilting.

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Trim the Stems

Cut 2–3 cm off each stem at a 45° angle using sharp, clean scissors or a knife. This opens up the stem for better water uptake.

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Fresh, Cool Water

Fill your vase with cool (not cold) water. Room temperature water allows stems to absorb more quickly than icy water.

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Remove Lower Leaves

Strip any leaves that will sit below the waterline. Submerged foliage breeds bacteria that shorten vase life.

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Use Flower Food

Add the included flower food packet to your water. It contains nutrients, sugar, and a biocide that keeps water clean.

Daily Maintenance

A few minutes of care each day will dramatically extend how long your flowers stay beautiful.

Change the water every 1–2 days — bacteria accumulate quickly, blocking the stems and causing wilting.
Re-trim stems by 1 cm every time you change the water to keep uptake channels open.
Keep away from fruit — ripening fruit releases ethylene gas which accelerates flower aging.
Avoid direct sunlight and heat vents — warmth speeds up wilting. A cool, bright spot is ideal.
Mist delicate petals lightly with water for flowers like roses and ranunculus to maintain humidity.
Remove spent blooms as they die so they don't spread bacteria to healthy flowers.

Vase Life by Flower Type

Different flowers have different longevity. Here's what to expect with proper care:

Flower	Expected Vase Life	Key Tip
Rose	7–12 days	Re-cut stems daily; keep cool
Peony	5–7 days	Buy in bud — they open in the vase
Tulip	5–8 days	They continue growing — re-trim regularly
Ranunculus	6–10 days	Loves cool rooms; avoid heat
Sunflower	6–12 days	Deep water; trim every 2 days
Dahlia	5–8 days	Sear stem ends briefly before placing in water
Oriental Lily	10–14 days	Remove pollen stamens to avoid staining
Hydrangea	5–9 days	Submerge heads in water if wilting
Phalaenopsis Orchid	3–4 weeks	Mist roots; minimal watering
Calla Lily	7–10 days	Keep stems fully submerged
Lavender	Fresh or dried	Air-dry upside down for lasting bunches
Baby's Breath	5–10 days	Minimal water; allow to dry naturally
Gerbera Daisy	7–14 days	Short-stem in shallow water; very susceptible to stem rot

Special Care Instructions

Roses

Roses benefit from a deep conditioning drink when first received. Fill a deep container with water and submerge the whole stem (not the head) for 1–2 hours before arranging. Always cut under running water if possible to prevent air bubbles in the stem.

Peonies

If your peonies arrive tightly budded, this is normal. Remove the outer guard petals gently, place in warm water, and they'll open beautifully within 24–48 hours. To slow opening, store in a cool room or refrigerator overnight.

Tulips

Tulips are phototropic — they grow toward light and continue to grow in the vase. Rotate your arrangement regularly for even posture. Wrapping stems tightly in newspaper for the first few hours can help them stand straight.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are heavy drinkers. If heads begin to droop, submerge the entire flower head in a bowl of cold water for 20–30 minutes to revive it. This method works remarkably well as a rescue technique.

Gerbera Daisies

Gerberas are prone to stem rot. Use only 5–7 cm of water in a shallow vase and keep the stems very short. Avoid getting water on the leaves or petals. Change water daily.

Oriental Lilies

The orange pollen from lily stamens can stain fabric, skin, and surfaces permanently. Remove the stamens with a dry tissue as soon as blooms open. If pollen gets on fabric, do not rub — lift it off with tape.

Storage & Temperature

Temperature is the single biggest factor in how long cut flowers last.

Ideal temperature: 4–8°C for storage; 15–20°C for display
Never place flowers near: heating vents, sunny windows, appliances, or ripening fruit
Overnight storage: Move arrangements to a cool room or garage overnight to slow aging
Refrigerator tip: Most flowers can be stored in the fridge overnight — remove any fruit first
Tropical flowers (orchids, gerberas) are cold-sensitive — keep above 10°C

Questions about your order? If your flowers arrive damaged or decline unusually fast, reach out to us within 24 hours at avelinegarden@gmail.com or +1 (289) 501-8586. We stand behind the quality of every stem we deliver.