How to Care for your Flowers
Carefully remove all packaging. Keep the tape or ribbon around the stems if you want to retain a strong shape on hand-tied bouquets, or remove if you want to arrange the flowers yourself.
Using a sharp, clean blade or scissors, cut 3cm off each stem at a 45 degree angle. This gives the stem a larger area to take up more water, and stops it resting on the bottom of the vase and sealing itself.
Remove any leaves which lie below the water level.
These leaves would decompose and contaminate the water, reducing the life of your flowers.
Use thoroughly clean vases as bacteria kills flowers.
Use the flower food that is provided.
This contains the correct ingredients to:
a) feed the flowers properly,
b) keep bacteria at bay (which blocks the stem and stops water uptake),
c) encourage buds to open,
d) lengthens the life of the flowers.
Snipping the corner off a one-dose sachet and adding it to the vase of water is simple and effective - and
scientifically tested to make your flowers last longer. Do not use metal containers if using flower food,
as metal can neutralise the food’s beneficial effects. Follow directions on pack.
Use lukewarm water. There is less oxygen in lukewarm water which helps prevent air bubbles in the stem that will block water uptake. It also encourages some flowers to open up. The only exception to this is spring bulb flowers like daffodils and tulips which prefer cold water. Add fresh water daily.
Place flowers in a in a cool position. Keeping away from draughts which chills the flowers, bright sunlight which encourages bacteria to breed and near ripening fruit as it releases tiny amounts of ethylene gas which prematurely ages flowers. Dying flowers do the same so always remove them from the vase. Also avoid over-warm central heating, cooling vents and appliances.
Water arrangements in oasis regularly. Do not allow oasis to dry out completely or become water logged.