Flower tips
When placing any flowers in water always trim and prepare stems in some way. The following are some guidelines for particular flowers, but when in doubt trim at least 2cm from ends of stems and place in clean water.
- Cut woody stemmed flowers, such as Rhododendrum, Hydrangeas, Blossoms, Natives, Azaleas, all foliages, then scrape the bark or skin off the last 2cm of stem. Use a small knife or blade or secators. Split up the stems also.
- Spray daily with fine mist or water flowers such as Gardenias, Hydrangeas, Violets, as they drink from their faces. Keep away from heat and sunlight.
- Spray most Tropical flowers with water daily and keep in a warm room, as they like more humid conditions.
- Dunk the last 2cm of stems of flowers such as Heleborus, Poppies, Sunflowers into boiling water, count to 10 and immerse quickly into cold water.
- Place Gerberas and all bulb flowers into a vase with only 3-4 cm of water, replace every second day.
- Keep vase water clean by striping all foliage of flowers that will be under the water level. They will rot and encourage bacteria to shorten the life of flowers. Half a capful of bleach may be added to most vases of water, especially with Gerberas. Do not use bleach with Roses.
- For best results change water every second day and re-trim stames.
- Keep most flowers away from excessive heat, light and draughts. If flowers are 'fresh' but appear wilted re-trim stems again, as they may have dried further up the stem preventing them to drink properly. Sometimes Hydrangeas can be revived by lying them in a trough of water for an hour or so.
- Cutting flowers on an angle means the open stem is not standing flat on the base of the vase, inhibiting drinking properly.
- Tulips will folow the light, to keep them standing straight try not place them under a well-lit area. Piercing their heads with a pin can keep their heads up, as can placing a copper based coin in the bottom of the vase. Please note that Tulip varieties naturally splay downwards and can look quite magnificent. Tulips also keep growing in a vase so they will get taller and change the shape of your arrangement.
- Try to keep narcissus bulb families together, that is, Daffodils, Jonquils etc. as their sap is a kind of poison to other flowers and may shorten their vase life.
- Gladioli and Iris can be held from opening and stored out of water for a number of days. When they are required cut at least 3 cm off the bottom and place in fresh water. Please note they will have a shorter vase life.
- To get flowers to open faster place in a warm, well-lit room.
