CARING FOR YOUR FLOWERS

• Should you have picked up your flowers from the florist be sure to take them home as soon as possible and make sure you keep them out of the sun in the car and don’t leave them in the boot, as the heat will surely damage them. Be gentle in handling them and ensure you follow the information below in treating your flowers to revive them after being out of water. It takes up to 3 hours for them to re-hydrate.

• If flowers are arranged in florist’s foam (Oasis), top up with clean water daily, taking care not to overfill, this is best done over the sink.

• If you have received cut flowers, trip stems diagonally about 2 cm from the base prior to placing in clean water. Take special care to remove all the leaves that will be underwater, as they contain bacteria that may quickly proliferate and spoil the water. Change water at least every three days and add solution if you have some from the florist or you can make it, as below.

• Position flowers away from draughts, direct heat and sunlight. Do not place them on or near heat generating appliances such as TV’s and microwave ovens.

• As some flowers will last longer than others, carefully remove spent blooms, especially if other flowers in your display are still alive and looking good.

• Roses and orchids may be sprayed lightly with cool water from a spray bottle.

• SOLUTION FOR WATER:
  2 teaspoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of white vinegar and 1 qtr teaspoon of  bleach. (To make a larger amount to keep: 2 dessert spoons of sugar, 1 dessert spoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of bleach).