 |
|
| Please follow these simple steps to help your flowers stay fresh and beautiful. | |
 |
Ask for flowers in season. Thanks to the diversity of the global garden, most flowers have year-round availablility. But a cut tulip in November won't be as vibrant or as long-lasting as the May version, and will certainly be more costly. |
 |
Trim the stems of hand-tied or loose boxed flowers. Flowers are 90% water and need a constant source of hydration to ensure their longevity. If the stems have been out of water for even a short time, the dried ends will inhibit water uptake. Trim on the diagonal with a sharp knife or shears before placing in a clean vase, filled with warm water and cut flower food. |
 |
Feed your flowers daily. Florist flowers that come in a vase or a floral foam container have been pre-treated with products that keep the water clear, clean and odourless, inhibit bacterial growth and promote flower blossoming. However, further treatment is recommended to extend the life of the flowers. Simply dissolve the contents of the flower food schet in fresh water in a watering container and top up your flower container daily. |
 |
Give your flowers space. Display in a cool, draft-free location, away from harsh sunlight and heat vents. Don't set flowers on top of a TV or stereo. |
 |
Replace or remove wilted flowers. Some flowers like the delicate iris live only a few days while flowers like chrysanthemums and carnations almost survive on neglect. Remove any wilted flowers as soon as possible to prevent accelerated deterioriation. (FLowers are like apples; one bad one can spoilt the container.) A professional arrangement is designed from the inside out and therefore should be able to withstand the absence of the more short-lived varieties. Better still, add fresh new flowers. |
Handy Last Minute Suggestions Homemade Floral Preservative... As an alternative to floral preservative, you can use 1/2 a capful of bleach and a teaspoon of sugar for your vase. The bleach helps to keep the water clean and the sugar feeds the flowers. If you don't have sugar readily available, another alternative is to pour a little 7-UP or Sprite into the water as a quick remedy. Pinch an Inch... A bent neck rose is a sign that the bloom is not drawing enough water. To correct the problem, try recutting the stem a few inches with sharp shears or a knife while holding the stem end under water. Then, straighten the rose and lay in a tub of lukewarm water for about an hour, before returning to your arrangement. Greens in the Mist ... Misting the "greens" in your arrangements will help add some extra "life" and longevity to them. This works especially well with your Christmas greens such as cedar and pine! |
|