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Flowers & Plant Care

Flower Care:

A little extra care can make a big difference for any size flower arrangement or fresh flower bouquet. Most floral arrangements last 5-7 days or longer, depending on the flowers used and the care they receive. The Society of American Florists provides these tips for longer-lasting, more vibrant flowers.


Care For Flower Arrangements:

Keep the vase filled (or floral foam soaked) with water containing a flower food provided by your florist. Flower foods provide sugars, balance ph and limit bacterial growth. It is important to follow the mixing directions on the food packet. Most packets are to be mixed with either a pint or a quart of water. Do not dilute with more water than is specified on the packet. The bacterial growth is what needs to be kept down.

Check your arrangement daily to make sure it has plenty of clear fresh water. This will always be accomplished by filling the container with fresh water and flushing out the old. The bacterial growth is what needs to be kept down. If possible, re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife or scissors that will not crush the stems. Immediately place the stems into warm solution or deeply and firmly back into floral foam.

Keep flowers in a cool spot (65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit), away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or near appliances. Heat from appliances or hot and cold drafts cause flowers to dehydrate.
 

Care For Loose Bunches Or Boxed Flowers:

Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them in a flower food solution. We always provide this with all of our Loose Bunches and Boxed Flowers. Don't forget how important it is to follow the mixing directions on the flower food packet. Fill a clean (washed with a detergent or antibacterial cleaning solution), deep vase with water and add a flower food. Remove leaves that will be below the waterline to deter bacterial microbial growth that will limit water uptake by the flower. Re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife or scissors. Place the flowers in the vase solution you've prepared.

If you purchase loose flowers for your own arrangements you should also consider these tips: When selecting flowers, look for flowers with upright, firm petals and buds beginning to open. Yellow, spotted or drooping leaves are signs of age. When using woody stems and branches (such as quince, forsythia or lilac), cut the stem with sharp pruning shears. Place them in warm water containing fresh flower food to promote flower opening and keep the containers supplied with fresh water.

 

Green Foliage Plant Care:

Most interior Foliage Plants will fall in this category. Dracaena, Corn Plants, Rubber Trees, Ficus, Pothos, Philodendron. Spathiphyllum, and many more will all benefit from having bright indirect light and no direct sun. A moderate amount of moisture that will require having water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Provide good drainage as the plant sitting in water will promote root rot and poor aeration. Do not fertilize with a green plant fertilizer for about six mothers and then fertilize with a green plant fertilizer, following the manufacturers directions.

Dish Garden Planters, which are an assortment of Green Foliage Plants planted in a single container, usually consist of a combination of low light level plants that have similar growing conditions. This may vary depending on the varieties of plants used but most will be able to tolerate low light levels and like to be moist but not standing in water. Watering may prove to be a bit tricky since most planters are not equipped with a drainage hole in the bottom of the container. This will require you to be more watchful on the water and how the soil is drying out to the touch.