ALSTROEMERIA

Alstroemeria are a Peruvian variety of lily. The buds of your Alstroemeria may appear, when bought fresh to be very tight. With flower food and proper care they should open to full and last 7-10 days. Alstromeria are particularly thirsty flowers, so check the vase often to ensure it is full (or the foam material is saturated) and add floral food with each water change.

Make sure that the foliage that falls below the water line is removed as this send the water off prematurely, and will effect the vase life of the blooms.

ANTHURIUMS

Anthuriums are a tropical bloom, grown and imported from countries such as Thailand, Mauritius etc. As such, they require warmer

temperatures and more humid conditions, so tend not to last particularly well throughout the colder months. They often appear quite ‘plastic like’ in appearance, and often are mistaken for artificial flowers, They will appear bruised and will wilt quickly when temperatures drop. Blooms can be sprayed with a mister to create a moist environment. They should not be placed within cool rooms or chillers.

AMARYLLIS

Amaryllis, like many flowers, may arrive with some of their blooms closed, but with proper care, they will open into large flowers. Their stems need remain filled with water at all times, so when you refresh

the water and re-cut the stems, turn them upside down and fill them with water, plugging the bottom of each stem with a cotton ball or your

finger until it is back in the vase. You will notice that the stems are hollow, like a piece of tubing, so this is easily done. The stems can be brittle and may bend or break when you refresh them. As new

blooms open, carefully pinch off older, wilting blooms.

ANENOMES

Anenomes have a very soft stem which can be easily damaged, so they must be handled gently. The delicate nature of the blossoms means you’ll enjoy them for only 3-5 days.

You’ll often notice that anenomes open and close their blooms throughout the day and night. Don’t worry, this is normal.

They come in a wide variety of colours, and are generally only available through the cooler months of the year.

BELLS OF IRELAND/MOLLACA BALM

These tiny, fragrant, green bells run up the stem in what appears to be a vertical column. They look similar to a small suction cap. Each bell has a tiny white blossom in the center. The stems are quite fragile so need to be

handled with care, as they can break and bend easily. The mollaca balm blooms should last approximately 7-10 days.

BIRDS OF PARADISE

Each stem of a bird of paradise contains about 4 to 5 inflorescence (flower heads). Most of the time only one flower is visible, however the others are hidden in another part of the flower. When one exposed flower withers it should be gently removed and another one can be pulled out of the flower’s boat shaped bract. If a flower doesn’t emerge, gently ease it out by hand. These exotic blooms are sensitive to cooler temperature so display them in a warm spot.

CALLA LILY

The spathe (the colored part of the flower) of the calla lily can bruise easily, so it’s important to be particularly gentle when handling them. Callas have thick fleshy stems that tend to curl at the bottom as they age. They should be recut every 2 days for

maximum vase life. They are available in a wide variety of colours, and the blooms vary in shape and size.

CARNATIONS

Carnations have a sensitivity to ethylene, a harmless, naturally produced gas, which can be released by fruits, vegetables, and

decaying floral materials. Keep arranged carnations free of ethylene producing materials such as ripening fruit and vegetables for best results. Re-cut the stems just above one of the nodes (knuckle like nodules) that run up the flower’s stalk as this will allow the stem to more easily draw the water it needs. When properly cared for carnations can last 7-14 days, depending on variety.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Chrysanthemums are a rather traditional flower that is now available in a wide variety of colors, shapes and petal formations. It’s important to remove the foliage of chrysanthemums if it begins to droop or yellow. The foliage often deteriorates more quickly than the flowers themselves. Recutting the stems often will also increase the uptake of water and increase vase life. Most chrysanthemums will last 7 to 12 days on average.

DAFFODILS

Daffodils last longer in shallow water, so when you re-cut their stems and change their water (adding additional floral food) every two or three days, fill the vase only partway. You can leave the

protective husks on or gently remove them. When daffodil stems are cut, they release sap that can shorten the life of other flowers.

To prevent this, after cutting their stems, place them in a bucket of water for at least 12 hours on their own before mixing them with other flowers.

DAISIES

Daisies are a particularly thirsty variety of flowers, so check their water level often, and be sure that the vase is full and any foam materials are completely saturated.

Daisies do not tend to last that well- expect 3-5 days from them. You will notice that the foliage tends to deteriorate more quickly that the flowers themselves.

DENDROBIUM ORCHIDS

Dendrobium orchids are a tropical imported orchid, that comes from regions of Asia. Again they tend to have a sensitivity to ethylene gas, which can be released by fruits, vegetables, and decaying floral materials.

To prolong the life of the blooms, keep the flowers awaying from ripening/decaying fruit and vegetable matter.

You may find it beneficial to submerge the whol stem of orchid in a sink or bath of water, allowing them to take up water from the stem as well as the bloom

FREESIAS

Freesias prefer a pretty mild environment, and room-temperature water. Blossoms appear on a comb-like structure – opening in order from largest to smallest along the horizontal comb. As

blossoms wilt/fade they should be plucked or removed from the

stem to keep the flower looking attractive. This also allows nutrients to be absorbed and utilized to open the remaining closed buds.

GERBERAS

Gerbera stems are hollow and weak and therefore benefit from less water. The gerbera stem tend to take up as much water as it

can, often causing the bloom to get ‘drunk’, making their heads droop. They are highly susceptible to bacteria blockage which can also cause their heads to droop over, so change their water often and replenish their supply of floral food every 1-2 days. Since they are particularly sensitive to ethylene gas and bacteria – keep the vase and surrounding areas clean and debris free.

HYACINTH

Hyacinths release a sap when their stems are cut that can shorten the life span of other flowers. To prevent this you may place the freshly cut hyacinth stems in a bucket of water, on their own, for approximately 12 hours before mixing them with other flowers. Currently, in more modern designs, hyacinths are being arranged with the bulbs and roots still intact, as part of the composition. The soil is washed from the roots to prevent the water from becoming dirty.

HYDRANGEA

Hydrangeas have woody stems that need to draw water for maximum vase life. If a blossom wilts prematurely, remove it from the design, recut the stem at a sharp angle and place in warm water for at least one hour. Hydrangeas also absorb water through their flower blooms. Wilted blooms can be gently submerged in a large basin of water for 10-20 minutes to allow the florets to take up the necessary water. For best results keep the water level in their vase full. Hydrangeas can also be dried, by hanging them upside down in a warm spot. Although the color will fade slightly – the dried flowers can last between 9 months to a year.

IRIS

Iris may arrive in your vase arrangement as tight buds, but their blooms tend to open very quickly and mature within 1-2 days. The blooms are most commonly seen in the deep blue hue, although they are also available as a white bloom with soft lemon centre. They are not a long lasting flower, but should be enjoyed all the same for their vibrancy. Expected vase life is 3-5 days.

LILIES

Dreaded lily pollen can stain clothing and furniture, so carefully remove the anthers (the orange pollen-coated tips at the end of the stamens) with tissues before displaying your bouquet. As flowers open, you should continue to remove the anthers. If you remove the stamens as soon as you seen them, you will notice that there is minimal pollen present. Lilies can bruise easily, so handle them with care. Their blooms open in succession, and you can snip off spent flowers close to the main stem.

LISIANTHUS

Lisianthus have soft rose like blooms, which are more sturdy and long lasting than their delicate appearance suggests. With proper care they can last 7-10 days,

with many of the unopened buds (which show color) opening fully. The minute, green buds are unlikely to bloom however they provide a soft green foliage which adds to the overall vase appeal.

PEONIES

Place your peonies in a cool place out of direct sunlight, in a vase full of fresh water, prepared with flower food if possible. Peonies often arrive in the bud stage and open fully while in the design. The open blossoms can be fragile and shatter if mishandled so give them space and move them only as necessary. With proper care they should last about 7 days.

ROSES

Like many flowers, roses generally last longer if they are kept in a cool area, but if you want their blooms to open quickly, temporarily place them in a warmer spot (i.e. NOT hot). Remove any discolored petals on the flower’s outer edge (guard

petals) and foliage that falls below the waterline. If your roses begin to wilt, you may be able to revive them. Trim off about an inch from the bottom of its stem and then gently submerge the entire rose under water.

Allow the stem to absorb water for about 20-60 minutes before returning them to their vase.