How to Care for Preserved Flowers

 

You finally reach the office after fighting your way out of the hectic working crowd at the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station. After sitting down and turning your computer on, you notice an odd and sour smell that reminds you of the stinky rubbish chute behind your office building.

You look up and notice that the flowers your beau sent as a surprise last week have begun wilting and rotting.

Sadly, even the freshest blooms will die after some time, even if you cut and water them regularly.

But there is a way for you to enjoy pleasing flowers - that is, swapping fresh flowers for preserved ones.

A Closer Look at Preserved Flowers

If you love flowers, you might have come across the term "preserved flowers" at some point, but have you ever wondered why they are gaining so much traction and popularity?

As the name suggests, preserved flowers refer to blooms that have undergone various chemical procedures to ensure they last longer than fresh ones.

Fresh flowers have been dominating the horticulture industry for decades, but recently, preserved flowers have been rapidly gaining ground for their ability to last a lot longer than the former.

Not to mention, preserved flowers also require less maintenance than fresh ones. Worry not about watering them daily or ensuring they get sufficient sunlight because preserved flowers do not require much care.

Like fresh flowers, you can find preserved flowers in a variety of arrangements, including wedding wreaths, floral gift boxes as well as bouquets. Here's what they look like in a gift box:

Pictured: Earring Gift Set II

Your Preserved Flowers Care Guide

 

While preserved flowers require relatively less care, they still require a certain amount of attention if you want them to last for months - or years.

Here's how you can look after them:

1. No Water, Please!

Unlike fresh flowers that need to be watered every day, preserved flowers do not require water at all!

These flowers have had their properties altered with chemicals such that they do not need to be watered. Even sprinkling water could cause the flowers to wilt, so be sure to avoid watering your preserved flowers at all costs.

2. ... and No Sunlight, too

You might have learned back in primary school about how the heads of flowers tend to lean towards the sunlight and that flowers require tons of sunlight to bloom.

Contrastingly, this is not the case for preserved flowers.

In fact, overexposure to sunlight would damage the preserved flowers! Instead, store your preserved flowers in a cool and dry area with plenty of shade.

3. Remove Dust

Unless you move your flowers from place to place regularly, they are bound to accumulate dust and even trap dirt over the long term.

Instead of washing them, use a hairdryer at a distance with mild strength to blow the dust away. You could also clean the flowers with some dry tissues to retain the original colour of the flowers.

4. Be Gentle When Handling Them

Preserved flowers might require relatively lesser maintenance than fresh ones, but they are brittler and more prone to damage.

The petals, stems, and leaves will break easily if they are squashed or even bent. So try to avoid touching them as much as possible.

Created to Last

The first preserved flowers were recorded in 1813, but they haven't been getting as much love as fresh ones. Do consider getting some if you are thinking of decorating your work desk or living space with unique blooms.

Want to get your hands on some preserved flowers? The Interiors Collection has them in bouquets, gift boxes and more. Browse our collection of flowers in Singapore today