Do you want to know how to process and care for cut Japanese sweet peas? Read this guide to find out how.
Processing and Caring for Japanese Sweet Peas: A Professional Guide
Japanese sweet peas make a beautiful addition to any wedding bouquet or floral arrangement.
Grown in Japan and imported, they are often labeled as “Designer” blooms because of their vibrant colors, which include pink, purple, and white.
They are lightly-scented flowers available nearly year-round, so I’m not surprised by their resurgence in popularity among brides in their wedding flowers.
Whether new to floral design or an experienced florist, processing and caring for them is straightforward. This quick guide will show you all you need to know about handling these delicate blooms.
So, let’s start learning how to take care of Japanese sweet peas!
Upon Arrival
To ensure the best vase life, it’s important to begin processing your fresh-cut flowers immediately upon arrival.
- Start by immediately removing all packaging from the flowers.
- Cut 1 “-2″ off the bottom of the stems. Sweet pea stems are only about 12″ – 15″ long, so I recommend cutting no more than 1” off. You can always trim more off later if necessary, but you can’t add more natural stem length.
- Dip them into a hydrating solution for 5-7 seconds. We use Floralife Quick Dip in the shop.
- Place them into fresh, clean water mixed with flower food, as directed, for maximum vase life.
- Allow them to hydrate for at least an hour before use.
Make sure you start with a clean vase before adding fresh water and flowers. Washing it with warm water and dish soap should suffice if it’s not too dirty or stained.
If it is stained or has been sitting unused for a while, you may want to use vinegar or baking soda as an extra cleaning agent to prevent bacteria buildup in the floral water. In the shop, we use Floralife DCD for cleaning and sanitizing our buckets and vases.
Be sure to change the water every two days or sooner to help prevent bacteria growth. Adding flower food as directed will also help extend the vase life of your flowers.
With proper care, your blooms will remain vibrant and fragrant.
Finally, recut the stems under water for 5-7 seconds if wilting occurs later and follow the above steps again.
If you follow these steps, you’ll have beautiful flowers to use in fresh flower arrangements and bouquets that will last for days!
Common Question About Japanese Sweet Peas
Here are some of the questions I often get asked about these delicate flowers.
When Are They Available?
In the past, most sweet pea varieties were seasonal flowers, only available from spring to early summer. Today, sweet peas imported from Japan are available from January – December.
Availability may be limited sometimes, and they are more expensive than a domestically-grown sweet pea.
How Long Do They Last?
With proper care, you can expect the average vase life of a sweet pea to be 5 to 7 days.
Are Japanese Sweet Peas Fragrant?
One of the unique features of sweet peas is their delightful fragrance. That’s why they’re called “sweet peas.”
Remember that some people have allergy issues to flowers that have more potent scents. It’s something to keep in mind if you plan on using sweet peas in your wedding bouquets.
Can A Sweet Pea Be Dried?
The answer is yes. Several preservation methods can be used depending on your needs and preferences. From simple pressing to freeze-drying, preserving sweet pea flowers is an easy way to extend their useful life while maintaining their beauty.
Are Sweet Peas A Good Gift?
Japanese sweet peas make a wonderful gift for any occasion. With their vibrant colors, sweet yet subtle scent, and delicate texture, they are sure to impress anyone who receives them.
Whether it’s a birthday or an anniversary, a bouquet of sweet peas will brighten up the celebration and beautifully convey your heartfelt sentiments.
While some florists have them in stock, many do not. I recommend ordering them at least one week before your special occasion.
What’s The Best Way To Display Them?
When displaying sweet peas, I prefer placing them in clear glass vases. A simple vase of sweet peas adds an elegant touch to the room.
Practically speaking, using a glass vase allows you to quickly change the water when necessary, which helps extend the flower’s vase life.
Wrapping It All Up
Japanese sweet peas are a beautiful and fragrant way to bring natural beauty into all floral designs. They can last up to a week or more when cared for properly and make an excellent gift for any occasion.
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Til next time,
