Looking after your flowers
• Like humans flowers need the right amount of food and water to make sure they blossom and last as long as they should. These are our top tips on looking after your flowers.
• If you receive a hand tied bouquet DO NOT cut the ribbon that binds the stems together. Just cut the stems as detailed below and pop in a vase following the care instructions below.
• If your hand tied is delivered in a water bubble cut the bottom off over a sink to release the delivery water and then remove the packaging. DO NOT leave in this bubble as the flowers will not last.
• If your flowers have been arranged in foam simply top the design up with fresh water every 2 or 3 days but don’t overfill as this may cause spillage.
• Always make sure that vases are completely clean. Bleach them by all means but make sure they are rinsed thoroughly before using. Avoid, if possible, metal containers – glass or plastic are best for flowers.
• Cut at least 1” off the stems at a very sharp angle to expose the maximum amount of capillaries as this will ensure maximum water take up. Always use a sharp knife or VERY sharp scissors as blunting the stem will clog the capillaries and reduce water uptake.
• Remove any foliage that will sit beneath the water line to avoid bacterial infection as this will clog the stem and stop water uptake.
• Use lukewarm water rather than cold as this inhibits growth and always use the flower food supplied with your gift. Remember flowers may need up to 24 hours to re-hydrate.
• Keep flowers away from fruit and remove faded blooms. Fruit emits ethylene which can dramatically reduce flower life while faded flowers simply waste valuable nutrients that can be used by other blooms.
• Keep flowers out of direct sunlight heat or draughts as these will all shorten their vase life.
• Replenish water and food every three days or so – if you’ve used flower food at the beginning you can simply top up the vase, if you haven’t you should change the water completely. . |
