Flower How-Tos

When it comes to giving flowers, you only need to know these three things:

Easy Flower Care
Say it with Feelings

Flower Meanings

And let us do the rest.

Easy Flower Care

Back in my time, when it was my turn to receive flowers, it frustrated me no end to see them wilt in 2 days or less, even worse overnight.

So it was quite surprising to know with just some simple steps it can actually last longer.

Though, you need to remember that each flower and each variety has its own life cycle and we can do very little to change that, but we can however, make it last as long as it can. They are living things and would need water and food to continue on doing so.

Before anything else, please remove the flowers from the plastic wrappings. Leaving them there would just trap moisture and promote molding, not a pretty sight. (For some arranging techniques please wait for our next posts)

The simplest that you can do:

1. Clean water everyday or every other
2. Cut the stem at an angle

Doing these 2 alone will make them last for at least 4-5 days.

But if you are feeling more adventurous here are more simple do’s and don’ts:

1. Add a little sugar
2. Remove the leaves that will come in contact with the water
3. Use a sharp knife or scissors
4. No extreme heat
5. No direct wind or draft

DO

Water
If you can only do one thing, put them in water as soon as you can. Just an inch or two of water will do wonders. It might mean changing this everyday, as well as washing the stems if you feel like it. To the newbies, these can get a bit slimy and may be too much for some to handle.

Cut the stem ends at an angle
There is more free surface area for the flower to take in water. This way, whichever way it sits, you are making sure that the stems are not blocked. The cut would best be more than inch from to bottom so you can also remove air pockets that may have formed. It is even better if you cut it under water to avoid producing air pockets again.

Sugar
This is to give the flowers food. My mother has done this with success, she didn’t use bleach, which is the usual practice. She was able to prolong the life of some of the gerberas I gave her for more than a week when it would just normally last for less. No harsh chemicals needed at all.

Remove leaves
You also have to remember that cutflowers have been though harvesting, packaging and transport so it will have bacteria present on its stems, leaves and petals. So removing as much of the leaves and other debris that will come in contact with the water would also help keep the water clean.

Sharp knife or scissors
It is preferable to use a sharp knife, so you will be sure you have not crushed parts of the stem (or xylem) and cause partial blockage. But this is a skill that one needs to get used to, I for one have a weak stomach for blood so I have not really gotten used to using a knife, I can if I have to, but I much rather prefer to use sharp scissors instead.

Now for the DON’TS …

No extreme heat
In extreme heat, especially in summer, a misting of water with your ordinary spray bottle would do well for flowers because they also take in moisture through its petals. Keeping them in the shade or out of the sun’s direct heat would also be most helpful.

No direct wind or draft
Draft or constant wind is also an unexpected culprit to premature wilting. Flowers wilt when they loose more moisture (transpire through their leaves) more rapidly than they can take it in.

Enjoy!

Say it with FEELINGS!