How to Keep Funeral Flowers Fresh Longer in Singapore’s Climate
Fresh cut flowers, with their visual appeal and wide array of colours, have long been appreciated and used in funeral stands and wreaths. In the tropical climate of Singapore, keeping these condolence flowers fresh for the length of the funeral wake, usually 3-7 days, can be challenging. There are a few ways to make your flowers last longer, watering, avoid direct sunlight, choosing the right flowers, adding flower food.
Understanding Singapore’s Climate
Singapore experiences a tropical rainforest climate throughout the year – hot and humid with abundant rainfall. According to the Meteorological Service Singapore, the average daily 24 hour temperature hovers around 28.6 degrees Celsius while relative humidity is consistently high at about 82%. During recent years the temperature has been increasing in the island, with maximum temperature hitting records of 36-37 degrees Celsius. These conditions accelerate flower wilting and browning, making it essential to take appropriate measures to extend their lifespan.
Technique 1: Watering
Watering has a large impact on flower longevity. Ensure that the stems are trimmed at an angle before placing them into vases filled with clean water – this promotes better water absorption leading to longer-lasting flowers. Here in LRDF we do just that, however if the funeral precessions last longer than 3 days, it is wise to add more water to your funeral wreaths. This is done by watering the base of the arrangement, usually there are large green floral foam that you can rehydrate with fresh water.
Technique 2: Avoid Direct Sunlight
Try to place condolence stands and wreaths away from direct sunlight. Usually for funeral wakes in HDB void decks, we will usually instruct our drivers to place the floral arrangements away behind a wall, away from the sun so that the flowers will last longer. This is less of a worry if the wake is held in one of the new funeral parlours like Woodlands Memorial – Funeral Parlour, Singapore Casket and Singapore Funeral Parlour. These venues are fully indoor and have air-conditioning which helps our fresh flowers last longer.
Technique 3: Choosing the Right Flowers
Opting for more resilient flower species like orchids or chrysanthemums can significantly prolong their life in such climates. These species adapt well to warm temperatures and high humidity levels common in Singapore. Avoid flowers like Hydrangeas which are susceptible to hot weather and needs a lot of water. Another option is to use silk flowers for the condolence flower stands, here are LRDF we use silk hydrangeas for our stands.
Technique 4: Using Flower Food
Using flower food when watering helps with the longevity of flowers. Flower food ingredients usually consist of sugar, citric acid, and vinegar. These helps feed the flowers and give the flowers the proper environment for them to live.
Conclusion
In the end, it all comes down to understanding the climate and how it affects flowers. By combining this knowledge with practical care techniques, we can help ensure that your condolence flowers stay fresh for a more extended period in Singapore’s challenging weather conditions. This not only allows the gesture of sympathy to be appreciated longer but also lets the bereaved family feel comforted during their time of sorrow.
Remember, while these tips are handy for keeping condolence flowers fresh longer, nothing beats professional assistance from florists experienced in dealing with Singapore’s unique climate challenges. At Little Red Dot Florist, we’re always ready to help – reach out to us today!