Tips for Caring for Your Flowers

From time to time we get asked about what's the best way to care for flowers. With every order we send out a "How to Care for your Flowers" card but here is some more information.

General Floral Care

• On receiving your flowers, re-cut approx. 2.5 cm off the base of the stems o­n a sharp angle up the stem, this creates more area for water to absorb.
  
• Remove any excess greenery that will fall below the water line in the vase, as this will contaminate the water with bacteria.


• The vase or container must be thoroughly clean and water should be at room temperature. A small splash of bleach will help to minimise bacteria growth in the water.


• Check water levels frequently and change the water if it looks murky.


• Bouquets can be either be removed from giftwapping by gently removing gift wrapping with scissors. Wet wrapping may result in discolouring of the vase water, staining of table linens and contaminate the water.


• Place your flowers away from heat, direct sunlight and draughts. A cooler position is most desirable - the hotter the room temperature, the shorter the vase life of the flowers will be.


• Do not place your flowers near fruit. As fruit ripens it produces ethylene gas which is harmful to your flowers.

Carnations & Roses

Carnations and roses which have knotted type "nodes" o­n their stems, must be cut above or below a node, not o­n top of o­ne. Water can not be drawn up the stem if the cut is made o­n a node.

Wood Stemmed Flowers

Wood stemmed and hollow stemmed flowers such as chrysanthemums, roses, gerberas, sunflowers and delphiniums can have their stems re-cut, then plunged into boiling water for approx. 30 - 50 seconds, and then back into their fresh vase of cool water. This removes any air embolisms that are created in the stem whilst being out of water, which restricts the water flow to the head of the flower (a common cause for roses who wilt their heads).

Tropical Flowers

Tropical flowers such as anthuriums, strelitzia, heliconia and orchids are sensitive to salt, which is produced in the sweat glands of our hands - therefore it is discouraged to touch the blooms as you may get black marks and cause bruising.

Spring Flowers

Spring Flowers such as daffodils, jonquils and early cheer, release a sap like substance which is poisonous to other flowers. Spring Flowers need to be in a vase of their own for 24 hours before being arranged with other flowers.

Poppies

Poppies also release a substance similar to latex, which can seal the end of their stems and prohibit water from entering the stem.Singe the end of the stem with a flame to eleveate this problem.In contrast to what some flower experts say, do not bash the ends of woody stemmed flowers or foliage, as this damages the cells that make up the intricate flower uptake system, which ultimately will effect the longetivity of the flower.

Flowers in Oasis

Water arrangement o­n arrival and daily - do not allow oasis to dry out and keep arrangement away from heat, direct sunlight and draughts.

Water Filled Boxes (Vox's)

No further arranging is necessary. It is a self contained vase. Top the water level up frequently, taking care o­nly to put water in the plastic bladder and not letting water seep between the bladder and the box.