Keep your bouquet fresh longer.
Most bouquets wilt prematurely — not because of the quality of the flowers, but because of what is done after delivery. Our design team shares all their knowledge to help you keep your Ribbon arrangement in its best condition for 10 days.
- Cut the stems at a 45° angle - every 2 days, underwater.
- Change the water every 2 days — clean the vase each time.
- Water at room temperature — never hot or ice cold.
- Keep away from direct sunlight, drafts, and fruit bowls.
- Remove wilted flowers immediately — they release ethylene.
At Ribbon, we meticulously track every detail from the moment a bouquet leaves our Etiler studio until it arrives at your door. We source the freshest seasonal flowers available in Istanbul, prepare them in our studio, and design each arrangement to last a long time. But the journey doesn't end with delivery. What you do in the next 24 hours will determine whether your bouquet lasts 4 or 10 days. This guide will help you achieve that 10-day lasting experience.
First 30 Minutes: Laying the Foundation
What you do immediately after receiving the bouquet has more impact than anything else. Flowers are living things that have traveled during transportation — they are thirsty and stressed. Your first task is to moisturize and stabilize them.
First Steps
1. Fill a clean vase with room temperature water. Not cold, not hot — room temperature is ideal for the stems to absorb the water quickly.
2. Add the flower nutrient packet that comes with your Ribbon order. This packet contains sugar, an acidifier (to facilitate absorption), and an antibacterial agent. You'll really feel the difference.
3. Remove any leaves that will be below the water level. Leaves left in the water will rot within 24 hours and contaminate the water with bacteria that prevent the stems from drinking water.
4. Using sharp scissors or a knife, cut 2–3 cm from each stem at a 45-degree angle — never sever them. Cross-cutting creates surface area for water absorption and prevents the stem from sitting flat on the base of the vase.
5. Place the arrangement in its final position immediately after cutting — do not leave the stems suspended in the air for longer than a few seconds.
Common Mistake
Many people skip the initial stem trimming, assuming it's already been cut at the florist's. Even if it has been cut, it's essential to trim it again after transport — stems close up within minutes of being left unharmed. Always trim again just before placing in the vase.
Water and Care
Water is the most important ongoing variable. Bacteria that thrive in stagnant water are your bouquet's worst enemy — the stems become clogged and moisture doesn't reach the flowers even when the vase is full, making wilting inevitable. Every 2 Days
• Empty the vase completely and rinse it with warm water and a drop of dish soap.
• Add fresh, room-temperature water and a small amount of flower food (half a packet if using for the first time).
• Cut 1–2 cm from each stem at a 45-degree angle, then insert.
• Remove any leaves or petals that have fallen into the water.
How much water? As a rule, fill the vase to about two-thirds of its height. The stems should be submerged, but not cramped. For single-stemmed bouquets (like our rose and peony arrangements), you can fill it a little higher. For mixed bouquets with thinner stems, keep the water level low and fresh.
Can I add anything to the water? If you want to prolong the life of the bouquet, a small amount of sugar (one teaspoon per liter) and a few drops of bleach (literally three or four drops) will mimic their basic functions — fuel and bacteria control. A copper coin in the water also has a mild antibacterial property.
Summer Note
Because Istanbul has hot and humid summers, bacterial growth accelerates in vase water. In July and August, change the water daily instead of every two days, and keep the arrangement away from rooms that exceed 25°C.
Placement: Where you put it matters.
The location of the arrangement is as important as its care. Flowers respond to their surroundings — temperature, light, and airflow affect both how quickly they open and how long they last.
Ideal Placement
• Keep away from direct sunlight — light accelerates the blooming of the flower and shortens its lifespan.
• Keep away from radiators, air conditioner vents, and open windows that create strong drafts.
• Away from the fruit set — ripening fruits release ethylene gas, which accelerates senescence in flowers.
• In a relatively cool place — the cooler, the longer it will last (within reasonable limits; don't put flowers in the refrigerator without knowing the type of flower)
• Stay away from heat-generating electronic devices (TV, computer, household appliances). The fruit bowl rule is the rule that surprises people the most.
Bananas, apples, and avocados are the worst offenders — they release high amounts of ethylene as they ripen. A bouquet sitting next to a bowl of fruit can lose 3–5 days of its shelf life. Move one of them away.
Can I put flowers in the refrigerator? For some types of flowers, especially roses and tulips, refrigerating them overnight significantly extends their lifespan.
If your refrigerator doesn't contain any strongly scented foods and the temperature is around 4–8°C, placing the bouquet in the refrigerator overnight and taking it out in the morning can extend its shelf life. Remove it before it gets too cold; never refrigerate tropical flowers such as anthurium, bird of paradise, and ginger flower.
Flowers to Flowers: A Species Guide
Different flowers have very different natural lifespans and care needs. Here are the types we work with most frequently at Ribbon, and what each requires to thrive in a home or office in Istanbul.
🌹 Rose 10–14 days
🌸 Peonies last 7-10 days
🌷 Tulips 5–8 days
💠 Medium 6–10 days
🌼 Ranunculus 8–12 days
🌺 Orchid 14–21 days
🌻 Sunflower 7-10 days
🌺 Anthurium 14–21 days
| Flower | Lifetime | Basic Care Tip | Things to avoid |
| Rose | 10 Days | Prune the stems deeply (4–5 cm) every 2 days. Remove any darkening outer leaves (2–3 outer petals) — the inner leaves are perfect. | Hot rooms, direct sunlight, ethylene sources. |
| Peony | 7-10 Days | If the buds arrive closed, a warm room will help them open. Once they open, move them to a cooler place. If the tops are drooping, submerge them completely in cool water for 30 minutes. | Drafts that cause premature leaf fall |
| Tulip | 5-8 Days | Tulips continue to grow after being cut, bending towards the light and growing 2–4 cm taller. Rotate the vase daily for even growth. Use cold water, changing it daily. | Hot rooms that cause them to open quickly and fall. |
| Hydrangea | 6-10 Days | They drink a lot of water — check the water daily. If the flower heads are drooping, mist the flower heads directly with water (moisture is absorbed not only from the stem but also from the flower). | Anti-fogging air conditioning environment; low humidity. |
| Erengül | 8-10 Days | It is one of the longest-lasting cut flowers. Keep it cool and trim the stems regularly. They open slowly and beautifully; enjoy the transformation. | Almost nothing can stop them; they are incredibly durable. |
| Orchid | 14-21 Days | It requires almost no water — just lightly spray the stem every few days, don't submerge it. It's the best choice for hot Istanbul offices and for travelers. | Excessive watering; cold temperatures below 15°C |
| Sunflower | 7-10 Days | Keep the vase full — sunflowers drink a lot of water. Remove any dark central petals that emerge. Unlike other cut flowers, they look best in direct light. | Too little water — too fast in insufficient humidity. |
The Seasons in Istanbul and What to Expect
The season in which the bouquet arrives affects both which flowers are freshest and what kind of care they require. Ribbon always works with flowers that are in season — not because they are cheaper, but because seasonal flowers are healthier, longer-lasting, and more beautiful.
🌷 Spring (February-April) Tulip, Rosehip, Peony, Hyacinth, Mimosa, Daffodil, Lilac, Hydrangea, Iris, Daisy, Snapdragon, Strelitzia, Freesia, Wallflower, Spring Branch, Salix, Magnolia, Poppy, Erginium
Cool weather is ideal — flowers naturally last longer during this season.
☀️ Summer (May–August) Sunflower, Aster, Zinnia, Lisianthus, Rose, Delphinium, Gladiolus, Bovardia, Anastasia, Protea, Banksia, Craspedia, Lucas, Statis, Carnation, Lily
Change the water daily; keep it away from air conditioning vents and direct afternoon sun.
🍂 Autumn (September–November) Chrysanthemum, Rose, Hypericum, Cotton Flower, Golden Strawberry, Autumn Leaf, Amaranthus, Ornamental Gourd, Gala Flower, Pomegranate Blossom, Orchid, Ornamental Pepper, Cymbidium Orchid, Anthurium, Brunia, Greentrick
Excellent season durability — autumn flowers last 12–14 days with basic care.
❄️ Winter (December–January) Amaryllis, Orchid, Rose, Eucalyptus, Ilex, Kokina, Poinsettia, Pine Branch, Helleborus, Vanda Orchid, Carnation
Heated indoor air is dry — mist arrangements more often during the winter months.
*The flowers listed may vary depending on seasonal availability. Please call us for current stock information.
The Latest Professional Tips
• Remove completely wilted flowers immediately — they release ethylene, which ages the others.
• Lightly mist the entire arrangement (including the flowers) every morning — this works especially well in dry winter conditions.
• If a stem breaks off, don't throw the flower away — place it in a small, shallow bowl of water as a floating flower.
• Ribbon bouquets feature greenery and filler flowers that last longer than the main flowers — don't hesitate to rearrange them as the buds fade.
Are you ready for the next bouquet?
Now you know how to keep things fresh for longer — check out Ribbon's latest seasonal collection. Same-day delivery throughout Istanbul.
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