It's nice to get fresh flowers from someone who cares about you. But it's even nicer if you know how to care for them. This will ensure that they last longer than expected and will also tell the giver that you value his or her investment.
Caring for flowers is like caring for babies minus the diapers. This short article will tell you how to do that and help you enjoy the beauty of flowers for a longer time.
First, make sure your "baby" is clean and well fed. Feed your flowers with enough clean water so they won't die of thirst. If you received a lovely floral arrangement, your work is almost done. Simply keep the oasis foam wet and you're okay.
If the flowers were delivered in a vase, see to it that all stems are in the water. If not, add more water and cut off a little portion of the stem.
"Should you get a bunch of cut flowers that are not in water, you'll need to act quickly. Pull off any leaves that would be under water - they'll just rot and breed bacteria. Then cut off about an inch from the bottom of each stem and get them into water," said Herb Weisbaum of MSNBC.Com.
"The key is to keep the flowers drinking. A flower is a living thing and it has to be fed and watered just like we do." added Michael Crosby, vice president of sales for the Sun Valley Group, one of the largest flower growers in California.
When cutting the stems, use a good cutting tool that does the job without crushing the former. You don't expect your surgeon to use a blunt knife when operating on you that will do more harm than good.
The same is true with flowers. Cut them with care at a 45 degree angle. This will help them absorb water. Crosby said lukewarm water is best.
Just as you need space, so do flowers. Don't cram them into a small vase. Give them room to breathe. If you have plenty of flowers, divide them in two separate vases to avoid overcrowding.
Change the water every day. Clean water is vital to the survival of flowers since it prevents harmful bacteria from multiplying. Putting some flower food that you can get at a nearby florist will also help.
"Does that freshener stuff from the florist really work? Yes. It contains sugar to feed the flowers and chemicals to slow the growth of algae and bacteria. These bacteria not only make the water smell, they clog up the stems and reduce the water uptake," according to Weisbaum.
"If you run out of the professional freshener, you can make your own. Just mix a teaspoon of bleach and a tablespoon of sugar in a gallon of water. Some gardening experts say you can pour a 12-ounce can of non-diet Sprite or 7-Up into a half gallon of water. The acid in the soft drink will slow bacteria growth and the sugar will feed the plant," he concluded.
For fresh flowers that are professionally designed and perfect for any occasion, go to the trusted source - Discount Flower Delivery Citrus Heights.
Caring for flowers is like caring for babies minus the diapers. This short article will tell you how to do that and help you enjoy the beauty of flowers for a longer time.
First, make sure your "baby" is clean and well fed. Feed your flowers with enough clean water so they won't die of thirst. If you received a lovely floral arrangement, your work is almost done. Simply keep the oasis foam wet and you're okay.
If the flowers were delivered in a vase, see to it that all stems are in the water. If not, add more water and cut off a little portion of the stem.
"Should you get a bunch of cut flowers that are not in water, you'll need to act quickly. Pull off any leaves that would be under water - they'll just rot and breed bacteria. Then cut off about an inch from the bottom of each stem and get them into water," said Herb Weisbaum of MSNBC.Com.
"The key is to keep the flowers drinking. A flower is a living thing and it has to be fed and watered just like we do." added Michael Crosby, vice president of sales for the Sun Valley Group, one of the largest flower growers in California.
When cutting the stems, use a good cutting tool that does the job without crushing the former. You don't expect your surgeon to use a blunt knife when operating on you that will do more harm than good.
The same is true with flowers. Cut them with care at a 45 degree angle. This will help them absorb water. Crosby said lukewarm water is best.
Just as you need space, so do flowers. Don't cram them into a small vase. Give them room to breathe. If you have plenty of flowers, divide them in two separate vases to avoid overcrowding.
Change the water every day. Clean water is vital to the survival of flowers since it prevents harmful bacteria from multiplying. Putting some flower food that you can get at a nearby florist will also help.
"Does that freshener stuff from the florist really work? Yes. It contains sugar to feed the flowers and chemicals to slow the growth of algae and bacteria. These bacteria not only make the water smell, they clog up the stems and reduce the water uptake," according to Weisbaum.
"If you run out of the professional freshener, you can make your own. Just mix a teaspoon of bleach and a tablespoon of sugar in a gallon of water. Some gardening experts say you can pour a 12-ounce can of non-diet Sprite or 7-Up into a half gallon of water. The acid in the soft drink will slow bacteria growth and the sugar will feed the plant," he concluded.
For fresh flowers that are professionally designed and perfect for any occasion, go to the trusted source - Discount Flower Delivery Citrus Heights.
About the Author:
National Press Club and Philippine Dental Association awardee George Nava True II is a popular Manila-based freelancer who has written thousands of articles on a variety of topics under the pseudonyms Janet Martin, Jill Stewart, Sharon Bell and, more recently, Tracy Anderson. He can be reached at sparklingtrue@yahoo.com.
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