Gladiolus flowers can last a long time if properly cared for. Below are the steps to keep Gladiolus flowers fresh during the Tet holiday; feel free to refer to them.
The Gladiolus flower symbolizes strong bonds, warmth, and immense gratitude towards ancestors. Known scientifically as Gladiolus, this flower is widely used in traditional Vietnamese Tet celebrations.
Gladiolus is a flower with relatively long stems, bearing numerous blossoms (15 – 20 flowers per stem), with sword-like green leaves and delicate petals resembling butterfly wings, making it visually appealing. This is why many people seek artistic arrangements of Gladiolus flowers to beautify their homes.
Due to its popularity, in recent years, Gladiolus bouquets have increasingly adorned living rooms, offices, and workplaces, especially during holidays and Tet. However, like other flowers with soft stems, Gladiolus flowers in vases do not last long because they often decay at the stem near the cut, causing the flowers to wilt quickly, sometimes even before blooming. Thus, keep these tips for arranging Gladiolus flowers handy, ensuring they are both visually appealing for the Lunar New Year and long-lasting.
Gladiolus is a flower with relatively long stems, bearing numerous blossoms (15 – 20 flowers per stem).
Steps to Keep Gladiolus Flowers Fresh
1. Before arranging the flowers, thoroughly wash the vase with soap and then dry it in the sun, especially for older vases that have previously held flowers with soft stems that can cause water decay, such as lilies or dahlias. After each water change, make sure to wash the vase thoroughly.
2. Cut the stems at an angle to enhance the water absorption surface for the flowers, ensuring that when placed in the vase, the cut end does not press against the bottom, making it easier for the flower stems to absorb water.
Do not let too much water in the vase; just enough to submerge the base of the stems about 3 – 5 cm.
3. If cutting flowers from the plant, cut the stems a bit longer so you can trim about 3 – 5 cm from the base (where air can trap in the vascular tissue, hindering water absorption). When trimming the stem, immerse the base in water or place it under running water while cutting, then quickly put the stem in the vase. This way, the water in the vase will directly contact the water column in the stem’s vascular system, creating a continuous water supply to keep the flowers fresh longer.
4. Once removed from the parent plant, the first requirement for the flower stems is water; therefore, after cutting, place the stems in water as soon as possible to keep them hydrated. If not, the stems will easily wilt due to moisture loss without replenishment. Prolonged water deficiency means the stems may not recover, or if they do, they will lack vigor and wilt quickly.
Change the water in the vase daily and clean the flower stems when changing.
5. Always use clean water for arranging flowers (warm water around 38 – 40°C is preferable since warm water travels into the stems faster); avoid water high in calcium and magnesium. Fluoride in water can damage leaf and flower tissues; if your water contains fluoride, store it in a bucket for a few days to allow the chemicals to dissipate before using it for flowers. Change the water in the vase daily, and when changing, clean the stems, especially the submerged parts. If you have an ozone machine for washing fruits and vegetables, it’s best to use ozonated water (which is sterilized and very clean) for arranging flowers, as they will stay fresh longer.
6. Before arranging, remove excess leaves from the bottom to prevent them from being submerged in water, which can cause decay and contaminate the water. Bacteria around the stem base can lead to rotting, blocking water uptake.
Do not let leaves submerge in water causing decay and contaminating the water.
7. Each time you change the water, cut off any decayed parts at the stem base. Avoid keeping too much water in the vase; just enough to submerge the base of the stems about 3 – 5 cm, as water absorption primarily occurs at the cut end. If the stems are submerged too deeply, they may rot due to bacteria. You can use some chemicals like bleach, copper sulfate, or potassium permanganate (at a concentration of 0.05 grams/liter) to inhibit decay-causing organisms, helping the flowers stay fresh longer.
8. Do not place the vase in direct sunlight (like by the window), under hot metal roofs, in drafty areas, under ceiling fans, or on TVs and radios, as heat will reduce the flowers’ lifespan. Hot air and wind cause the flowers to lose water quickly, leading to wilting if they cannot replenish in time. At night before bed, it’s advisable to move the vase to a cooler room or outdoors to let them “catch the dew.”
9. Choosing the right time to select Gladiolus flowers: When learning to arrange Gladiolus flowers, pay attention to the timing of selection. If you are cutting from your garden, do so in the early morning or late evening, which are the best times of day as the plants lose less moisture. The stems will contain more water and carbohydrates, ensuring the flowers last several days without wilting or decaying.
Notes for Arranging Gladiolus Flowers
Always use clean water for arranging flowers, preferably warm water around 38-40°C, as warm water is absorbed faster by the stems. However, in hot weather, it is advisable to use cold water to keep the flowers fresh longer.
Avoid using water high in calcium, magnesium, or fluoride, as they can damage leaf and flower tissues. To ensure safety, let the water sit in a bucket for a few days to allow chemicals to evaporate before using it for flowers, or use filtered water.
Essential Nutrients for Long-Lasting Flowers
Using Sugar: Add 2 tablespoons of sugar or 1/4 can of soda to the flower arrangement water to provide nutrients and enhance photosynthesis, helping the flowers stay fresh longer.
Using Bleach or Potassium Permanganate: Mix a small amount into the arrangement water to inhibit bacterial growth, helping the flowers last longer.
Using Lemon Juice, Vinegar, or Aspirin: Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar into 1 liter of water to increase the acidity, which helps flowers stay fresh longer. You can also crush aspirin and mix it into the water for a similar effect.
Using Vitamin B1: Dissolve crushed Vitamin B1 tablets in the arrangement water to help flowers stay fresh longer.
Using Alcohol: Mixing a small amount of white alcohol into the arrangement water helps eliminate bacteria, preventing decay and keeping flowers fresh longer.
Using Mouthwash: Dilute about 15g of mouthwash in 1 liter of clean water to help kill bacteria in the water, keeping flowers from rotting and lasting longer.
Do not use water high in calcium, magnesium, or fluoride when arranging flowers.
How to Choose Gladiolus Flowers
- Select fresh Gladiolus stems that are not bruised.
- The flowers on the same stem should be fresh, with the buds large and matching in color.
- Choose stems with many flowers and buds, ensuring the buds are evenly sized. If you choose stems with opened flowers, they should also be uniform in color. Stems with unusually dark or light colors may indicate they are grafted flowers, which you should avoid as they do not last long.
- To ensure longevity, select fresh flowers directly harvested from the field, keeping the bulbs intact. Avoid flowers that have been soaked in ice water or refrigerated, as they may not bloom or do so poorly.
Symbolism of Gladiolus Flowers
In feng shui, Gladiolus is known as Sword Orchid – it is believed to ward off negative energy and bring good luck and peace to the homeowner. The flower is often given as a gift to loved ones and was traditionally used in weddings, forming bouquets with white roses for the groom to present to the bride as she arrives at her new home.
Gladiolus flowers come in many colors, with meanings varying by color:
- Red gladiolus flowers symbolize passionate love. During Tet, they also represent good luck.
- White gladiolus flowers signify nobility, innocence, and purity.
- Pale pink gladiolus flowers represent admiration and femininity.
- Dark pink gladiolus flowers express gratitude and sincerity.
- A single yellow gladiolus flower symbolizes an apology.
- Purple gladiolus flowers send a meaningful message to that special someone: “I love you.”
- Green gladiolus flowers symbolize heartfelt love from the heart.
Secrets to Keeping Flowers Fresh During Tet
