There is something truly magical about morning glories. Their vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers unfurl with the sunrise, bringing a splash of cheerful colour to the day. But as many admirers know, their beauty can be short-lived, especially when they are cut for a bouquet.
The question of how to care for morning glory arrangements is one we get often, and we are here to share our best advice for making the most of these stunning flowers.
Preparing Your Morning Glories for a Vase: A Step-by-Step Guide
Proper preparation is absolutely everything when it comes to caring for morning glory flowers in a hand bouquet. Think of it as giving these delicate beauties a refreshing spa treatment before their big debut.
Because their hollow stems make them prone to wilting, a few extra moments of attention right at the start will make all the difference in helping them stay vibrant.
What is the best way to conditionally cut morning glories? For the best results, follow this simple, step-by-step process:
- Choose Your Moment Wisely. The best time to cut morning glories is in the cool of the early morning, just as they have opened. At this time, their cells are full of water, making them more resilient. Cutting them in the heat of the day is a sure way to see them droop almost immediately.
- Make a Clean Cut. Always use a pair of very sharp scissors or floral snips. A dull blade can crush the stem's delicate water-uptake channels. Make your cut at a 45-degree angle to create a larger surface area for the stem to drink water.
- Hydrate Immediately. This is not a step you can delay. Have a bucket of cool water with you and plunge the stems into it the second they are cut. This prevents tiny air bubbles from getting trapped in the stem, which can create a blockage and stop water from reaching the beautiful bloom.
- Try a Florist's Trick: A Quick Sear. For a little extra help, you can quickly dip the bottom centimetre of the stems into boiling water for about 10-15 seconds. It sounds strange, but this action helps to seal the cut end, locking in moisture and preventing the sap from leaking out and dirtying the vase water. Immediately place them back into your vase of cool water after searing.
Why Do Morning Glories Wilt So Quickly in a Vase?
It can be disheartening to see such a beautiful flower fade so fast. The reasons why your vase arrangements have such a short vase life are a combination of their delicate structure and their fascinating natural rhythm. It is not anything you are doing wrong; it is simply the nature of the bloom.
Here is a simple breakdown of what is happening:
- Their Petals are Paper-Thin: The petals of a morning glory are incredibly fine and soft. This delicate structure means they lose moisture to the air very quickly through a process called transpiration. Unlike a rose with its dense, waxy petals, a morning glory cannot hold onto its water reserves for very long once it is cut from the main plant.
- They Have a Fast Metabolism: Think of morning glories as living life in the fast lane. Their entire life cycle for a single bloom is programmed to happen within a single day. This rapid process of blooming, attracting pollinators, and fading does not stop just because the stem has been cut.
- It Is Their Natural Clock: The most important reason is their internal clock, a trait known as nyctinasty. The flower is biologically programmed to open its petals in response to the morning light and close them as the light intensity and temperature change in the afternoon. This behaviour is essential for the plant's life cycle in the garden, and it continues even when the flower is in a vase.
Daily Care for a Brighter Bouquet
Once your morning glories are beautifully arranged, your daily morning glory care routine is about creating the perfect environment for their short but sweet performance. Remember, these flowers are sprinters, not marathon runners; they are meant for a brilliant morning display at a brunch or early gathering.
Here is what you can do to ensure they look their absolute best during their moment in the sun:
- Find a Cool Location. Place your vase in the coolest part of the room, well away from direct sunlight or any heat sources. Heat and light will only speed up their natural tendency to fade and close by the afternoon. Also, keep them away from your fruit bowl, as ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which can cause flowers to wilt faster.
- Refresh Their Water Daily. Morning glories, like all cut flowers, appreciate fresh water. Each day, take the flowers out, rinse the vase, and refill it with cool, clean water. This prevents bacteria from forming.
- Give Them a Fresh Snip. When you change the water, give each stem a tiny trim at the same 45-degree angle. This removes any part of the stem that may have become blocked and ensures it can continue to drink water efficiently.
- A Gentle Morning Mist. A light misting of water over the blooms in the morning can help keep them hydrated and looking perky, especially in a dry, air-conditioned room.
Are Morning Glories a Good Choice for Wedding Bouquets?
This is a question we absolutely adore because the idea of walking down the aisle with a bouquet of morning glories is incredibly romantic. Their vibrant colours and delicate, heart-shaped leaves seem tailor-made for a celebration of love. However, the honest answer is: it depends entirely on your wedding's timing and your expectations.
For a traditional, all-day wedding celebration, morning glories are a challenging choice for the main bridal bouquet. Their beauty is famously fleeting, with the blooms naturally closing up as the afternoon approaches. A bouquet that is stunning at 10 AM could look completely wilted by the time you sit down for your reception dinner.
With that said, they can be a wonderful choice in a few specific scenarios:
- For a Sunrise Ceremony: If you are planning an early morning or sunrise service followed by a brunch, morning glories are perfect. They will be at their peak beauty, greeting the day right along with you and your guests.
- As a Photo-Only Bouquet: Some brides choose to have a special, separate bouquet just for their pre-ceremony photos. A morning glory bouquet would be absolutely breathtaking for a morning photo shoot, capturing a magical and unique moment, even if you switch to a hardier bouquet for the ceremony itself.
- In Decorations for a Morning Event: They can be used beautifully in table centrepieces for a wedding breakfast or brunch, where their short lifespan is understood and appreciated as part of their charm.
Conclusion About Caring for Morning Glory
In a world that often demands things last forever, the morning glory offers a gentle reminder: some of the most beautiful moments are the most fleeting.
So, when a special morning calls for an unforgettable touch of magic, you can welcome these blooms with confidence instead of hesitation. While morning glories capture the heart of the sunrise, every moment of your day deserves to be beautiful.
To find the perfect long-lasting arrangement for your afternoons and evenings, explore the stunning collection at Windflower Florist with on-time same-day flower delivery in Singapore, and your order is free.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caring for Morning Glory
How Long Do Cut Morning Glories Last In A Vase?
Cut morning glories have a very short vase life, typically lasting for less than a day. They are best used for arrangements intended for a morning event, as the flowers naturally begin to fade and close by the afternoon.
Why Do My Cut Morning Glory Flowers Close Up?
It is like morning glory flowers that close in the afternoon. This is a natural process that happens even when the plant is growing in a garden. Cutting them does not change this behaviour, which is why they are known for their morning display.
Is There Any Way To Stop Morning Glories From Closing?
Unfortunately, you cannot stop the natural cycle of the blooms. The best approach is to plan your arrangement for a morning viewing to enjoy them when they are fully open and at their most vibrant.
What Kind Of Water Is Best For A Morning Glory Bouquet?
Cool, fresh tap water is perfectly fine for your morning glory bouquet. The most important thing is to change the water daily to prevent bacteria from growing, which can clog the stems and cause the flowers to wilt faster.
Are There Other Flowers That Look Like Morning Glories But Last Longer?
Yes, if you love the look of morning glories but need longer-lasting flowers, consider petunias or some varieties of hibiscus. These have a similar trumpet shape and come in a wide range of beautiful colours, but they hold up much better in a cut arrangement.
