Advice
Basic flower care.
Cut flowers and foliages have a timeless beauty. Enjoy them while you can, at some point they will end.
Fresh flowers are part of life and their beauty is transitory. The moment they are cut they slowly begin to die. There are certain steps we can take to ensure they complete a full life cycle, buds, semi-mature and fully open flowers show beauty and interest at every stage.
Caring for your cut flowers and foliages.
- Avoid placing your flowers in direct sunlight.
- Avoid draughts
- Avoid direct heat.
- Do not allow your flowers to freeze (e.g. in your car over night).
- Always ensure vases and containers are clean.
- Always ensure water is kept clean.
- Use cut flower food if appropriate.
- Keep flowers cool if possible.
- Re-cut stem ends whenever possible.
- Remove foliages below the waterline.
- Leave thorns on stems if possible.
- The least damage you cause to your stems the better.
To learn more…
Look up special care instructions for individual types of flowers and foliages online or contact your local florist.
General pot plant care.
Popular plants in the home may flourish naturally on ‘the other side of the world.’ Therefore it is important that we understand their individual needs. Most plants have a dedicated website where all the information you need is available. General care tips are as follows.
- Follow instructions where available.
- Remove dead heads and tired foliage.
- Water from the bottom.
- Avoid strong sunlight.
- Avoid draughts.
- Avoid extreme shade.
- Look out for pests and diseases and treat accordingly.
- Feed according to instructions.
- Enjoy your plants while they are at their best.
Hand tied bouquets in a ‘boxmart’ vase.
- Place your bouquet away from direct sunlight and draughts.
- Using the ‘window’ check the water level daily.
- Pour clean water into the bouquet a little and often.
- Keep in a cool place if possible.
- Remove flower heads when they are no longer at their best.
- Most of all enjoy your bouquet.
Designs in ‘water retaining foam.’
- Place your arrangement away from direct sunlight and draughts.
- Ensure the foam stays wet.
- Keep in a cool place if possible.
- Remove flower heads when they are no longer at their best.
- Most of all enjoy your arrangement.
Popular flower tips.
- Carefully remove heads as they go past their best. This encourages the other buds to open, and enhances appearance.
- Carefully remove stamens from lily heads, to avoid pollen damage.
- Woody stems prefer deep water, e.g. roses.
- Soft and hairy stems prefer shallow water, e.g. gerbera.
- Re-cut stems with a clean sharp blade, to encourage water uptake.
- Leave thorns on roses where possible. Although care must be taken when handling.
- Cause the least amount of stem damage as possible, damaged stems are vulnerable to bacteria.
- Cut flower food may increase the life of your flowers when used together with the steps above.