Taking Care of Your Flowers
Fresh Cut Roses:
If
you have received a gift of fresh cut roses please follow the
following care instructions to prolong the vase life of your Roses.
Upon arrival you should immediately prepare a clean vase with
fresh water and if provided, some floral food. Fresh cut roses
require lots of water. Fresh roses will drink at least a quarter
of the vase each day. Re-cut the stems at an angle under warm
water with a sharp knife. It is important to remove any foliage
below the water line. Avoid injuring stem bark. Changing the water
on a daily bases will help eliminate any bacteria. Well cared
for cut roses have a life expectancy from 5 - 14 days. Display
roses in a cool location avoiding direct sunlight, excessive heat
or cold. Do not display roses on the top of appliances such as
a television, microwave or stereo. Appliances generate heat that
will shorten the life of your fresh cut roses.
Key tips in success: Re-cut stems underwater. Keep
vase full of water; use floral preservative. Display in a cool location.
Roses Arranged in a Vase:
If
you have received a gift of Roses arranged in a vase by your local flower
shop, remove all wrapping, check water level. If low, bring the water
level to the top of the vase. Do not display roses in the sun or on
top of appliances. If a rose should wilt prematurely, submerge the entire
flower & stem in a tub or tray of warm water (100°F/38°C)
and straighten. On an angle, cut one inch from the end of the stem under
warm water using a sharp knife. Allow the rose about two hours under
water to revive.
If the roses are arranged in floral foam, keep the foam saturated with
fresh water and add floral food if proved by your local flower shop.
Fresh Flower Arrangements:
If you have received a fresh flower arrangement from your florist,
please follow the following care instructions to prolong the life of
your flowers.
Immediately
upon arrival, check the water level in your fresh flower arrangement.
Add warm water and floral food if provided by the flower shop as needed.
If your arrangement is in a basket or a shallow dish, please keep the
floral foam saturated. Remove fading blooms and foliage. Some flowers
last longer than others. To keep your entire arrangement looking fresh,
simply pluck fading flowers off the stem. Flower arrangements do not
require sun. Do not display flowers in direct sunlight or on top of
appliances. Keep flowers from extreme heat and cold.
Planter
Basket Care:
If you have received a dish garden prepared by a local flowershop please
follow the following care instructions:
Moderately moist soil is best. Avoid over watering your garden. Shallow
non-draining containers require less frequent watering then those with
drainage. Place your European Basket near a sunny window but protected
from direct sunlight.
Fruit Basket
If
you have received a Fruit or Fruit & Gourmet Basket from your local
florist remember to remove the cellophane wrapping upon arrival. If
you leave the cellophane wrapping on the fruit, will over ripen very
quickly. Typically the basket will arrive with a mixture of red and
green apples, oranges, bananas and an "exotic" fruit such
as kiwi, pineapple or cherimoya. Clean all fruit before eating. Soft
skin fruit should give slightly when touched. If they are hard leave
them at room temperature to ripen.
Apples, oranges and kiwi can also be consumed over several weeks when
stored in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness. Bananas should
not be refrigerated as they will discolor. Fruit will spoil quicker
in warm temperatures.
