Guide to Harvesting Flowers for a Bouquet

19 Sept

Creating a beautiful flower bouquet from your garden is a rewarding process. This Bloom & Song guide outlines the steps you should follow to harvest flowers effectively while ensuring their longevity.

1. Choose the Right Timing

Harvest in the Morning: Flowers are at their best early in the morning, when temperatures are cooler, and the dew is still present. This helps retain their moisture.
Avoid Rainy Days: Wait until after a dry spell for ideal harvesting conditions, as wet flowers can be more susceptible to rot.

2. Select Your Flowers

Assess Maturity: Choose blooms that are just beginning to open, as these will last longer in a bouquet.
Variety: Aim for a mix of shapes, sizes, and colours. Popular choices include Roses, Peonies, Sunflowers, and Larkspur.
Foliage: Don’t forget to include greenery. Foliage adds texture and contrast to your bouquet.

3. Gather Your Tools

Sharp Scissors or Pruners: Ensure they are clean to make a clean cut and avoid damaging the stems.
Bucket of Water: Fill a sturdy container with water before you start harvesting to keep the flowers hydrated.

4. Harvesting Techniques

Cut at The Right Angle: Cut stems at a 45-degree angle to increase water uptake.
Trim Leaves: Remove any leaves that would sit below the water line in your vase to prevent bacterial growth.

5. Post-Harvest Care

Immediate Hydration: Place the cut stems in the bucket of water immediately after cutting.
Recut Stems: Before arranging, make a fresh cut on each stem while underwater to ensure they can absorb water effectively.
Remove Thorns: For flowers like Roses, remove thorns to avoid injury while arranging.

6. Arranging Your Bouquet

Start with Foliage: Begin with a base of greenery to frame your bouquet.
Add Main Flowers: Introduce your larger flowers and distribute them evenly throughout.
Fill with Filler Flowers: Incorporate smaller blooms to fill in gaps and add dimension.
Balance Shape and Colour: Step back frequently to assess the balance in your arrangement.

7. Final Steps

Water: Place your bouquet in clean water as soon as you're finished arranging.
Keep Cool: Store the bouquet in a cool area away from direct sunlight until it's ready to be displayed.
Change Water Regularly: Refresh the water every couple of days and trim stems as needed to prolong the bouquet's life.

By following these steps, you can create a stunning bouquet using flowers from your garden that will brighten your home or make a splendid gift. Happy harvesting!

Tips provided by the Hong Kong Florist and HK flower delivery association: https://www.hk-florist.org/

Florist and Flower Delivery