Make sure you have a clean vase to hand to put your flowers in.
Fill your vase two thirds full with fresh water and add the flower food.
Unwrap your flowers from the packaging, if you have been given a hand-tied bouquet, leave the twine in place around the stems, otherwise you will lose the design and you will have to rearrange.
Cut off about 2cm from the bottom of each stem, using a pair of sharp scissors or secateurs. Cut at a 45 degree angle to ensure your stems have the greatest surface area possible to drink from.
Remove any foliage which may sit below the waterline as this can cause bacteria to build up in the vase shortening the life span of your flowers.
When chosing where to display your flowers make sure they are kept away from draughts as well as hot radiators. Also out of direct sunlight and avoid keeping your flowers next to the fruit bowl as some fruits release a gas that can make flowers fade fast.
Check the water on a daily basis and top up when needed.
Every 2-3 days, re-cut the flower stems and fill your vase with fresh water.
