Caring for cut flowers, Bouquets and flowers arrangements
We want your flowers to last as long as possible. If you’re happy, so are we. So, when you buy flowers from us or receive flowers that have been sent by us we’ll either tell you how to care for them or include a brief list of instructions to help you get the most life from your flowers. However, we have the opportunity here to provide you with more detailed instructions which you can use as a reference point to help in extending the life of your flowers and enable you to enjoy them for longer. We hope you find these tips helpful.
Bouquets & Posies
- Using cold tap water fill a vase (nice and clean – for looks and to keep bacteria away) to a level that will allow all the flower stems to be immersed in the water – normally about two thirds full (note that for poppies, tulips and gerberas they will only need the water filled to approximately a quarter of the vase BUT will drink the water and will need to be topped up daily)
- Add to the water the flower preserver that has been included with your flowers, noting that for some flowers such as gerberas, tulips and poppies we do not recommend the use of a preserver as they won’t enhance the lifespan of your flowers.
- Whilst allowing the preserver to settle, cut about 2cm off the stems and then clean (strip) the stems of any foliage that will sit below the water level before placing the flowers in the vase. We tend to cut the jute that binds the flowers at the base, however, you may want to sit them in the vase tied and then cut if desired to ensure that they fit the vase so they are just right.
- Place the vase in a cool place away from direct sunlight, strong heat and draughts and most importantly, in a position where you will be able to best enjoy them!
- If you can, please re-cut the stems and change the water every other day (adding a teaspoon of sugar or bleach to the water) as this really will prolong the life of your flowers. Doing this can be quite thereaputic and give you a lift to see the extra life you can get from the flowers. However, time can sometimes get away from us so if you are only going to be able to cut them once, please do so before the flowers first go into the water.
- As some of the flowers begin to wilt, fade or droop, please either cut back or remove from the vase and continue to enjoy the flowers that remain. For some flowers, particularly lilies, you will be able to cut off some of the later blooms and place in a smaller vase once many of the other blooms are finishing.
- ENJOY!
Arrangements (flowers that are self-contained – you know, in the green foam stuff)
- Place flower arrangement in a cool place away from direct sunlight, strong heat and draughts and most importantly, in a position where you will be able to best enjoy them!
- Top up (carefully) with water each day.
- ENJOY!
Some More Specific Tips
Lilies
As soon as the flower opens, pick off the stamens to prevent getting the yucky yellow pollen on fingers, furniture, clothing or carpets. If they have opened and are turning yellow, use a tissue to remove. We find sticky-tape to be the most effective to get the marks off if the pollen has dropped.
Gerberas, Tulips and Poppies.
These guys only need a small amount of water (approximately a 1/3 of the vase filled) but will drink the water and will need to be refilled before the water runs out. Note that the tulips will grow taller whilst in the vase (check it out for yourself – it’s pretty cool) and gerberas benefit from being wired to help them remain tall (we’ll do this for you before the flowers leave the shop)
Hydrangeas
When they are looking tired, fill the sink with water and leave the heads under water for 2 to 3 minutes before placing back in the vase. The flowers drink from the head so would also appreciate a misting with a water sprayer, much like the ones used for helping to iron clothes.
Tropical Flowers such as Gingers, Heliconias, Orchids, and Anthuriums
As for hydrangeas these flowers love to be misted and also look so much more wonderful with a fine cover of water over them. Best done on a daily basis, although we’ve been known to do so every 30 minutes to ensure that wedding flowers will be just perfect.
