HOW TO TAKE CARE

The sooner that you put your flowers into water, the longer they will last.

1. The flowers should be re-cut at the stems while submerged in water. This is important for hollow-stemmed flowers so it will prevent an airlock from forming in the stem which may prevent the flowers from taking water.
2. The stems should be cut on an angle, which will create a wider exposed area and allow the flowers to take the maximum amount of water.
3. Flowers will last longer if the plant food is added to the water. An example to an alternative to plant food would be sugar.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN FLORAL PRESERVATIVE

One quarter cup clear carbonated beverage to one vase water.

1. One cap of hydrogen peroxide every time the water is changed.
2. One part lemon lime soda to 3 parts of water.
3. Two tablespoons lemon juice, one tablespoon sugar, one quarter teaspoon bleach in one vase of water.
4. Two tablespoons of white vinegar, two tablespoons of sugar to one vase of water.
5. Use 50% warm water, 50% Sprite or 7UP plus one and a half teaspoons of bleach.

• Sugar provides energy.
• Citric acid acts as an acidifier.

Bulbs - Tulips and Daffodil Care After Bloom

We count on tulips and daffodils to help welcome spring year after year with only a little bit of care on our part. But some common mistakes can weaken them and lead to fewer flowers the following year.

Seed production takes food away from the developing bulbs, so it's important to remove faded flowers before they produce seed.

Leaves, however, must remain on the plants until they turn yellow. This yellowing is not attractive but it is a sign that the foliage has fully matured and has manufactured enough food to build a bulb that's strong enough to bloom again next year.

You can hide yellowing leaves by setting out flowering annuals among the bulb plants in late May. Choose annuals that need minimal watering, such as marigolds, vinca, or moss roses. Keeping the soil too moist all summer can weaken the dormant bulbs.

To encourage strong bulb development, fertilize them soon after bulb foliage emerges in spring, and again one month later. Use specially formulated bulb food, not just bone meal.

CARE OF FLOWERS

The freshness of your flowers has everything to do with the quality of your completed piece. We will rehydrate the flowers if they are starting to wilt,if possible, when they are received.

DO NOT PLACE FLOWERS IN THE FREEZER! As soon as they are removed, they will thaw and there will be nothing left to preserve.

Follow the directions outlined below, for the best care of your flowers until we receive them.

As soon as possible after the event, make sure your flowers have water.

For Stemmed Flowers:

1. If Wedding Bouquet, push back ribbon, if necessary.
2. Cut stems approximately 1 - 1 1/2" off ends.
3. Immediately put into vase of water.
4. If possible, place large plastic bag over flowers and put in the refrigerator. In the case of secondary refrigerators, like ones in
garages, make sure the temperature is on the warmer side so flowers don't freeze.

For Flowers in Bouquet Holders:

1. Make sure the oasis (place where stems are attached to holder) is wet.
2. Do not wet the flowers themselves.
3. If possible, place large plastic bag over flowers and put in the refrigerator. In the case of secondary refrigerators, like ones in
garages, make sure the temperature is on the warmer side so flowers don't freeze.

For Corsages and Bouts:

1. Do not wet the flowers.
2. Place in Ziploc Bags and place in refrigerator.

FOR CUT FLOWERS

1. Make sure vases are very clean
2. Use fresh lukewarm water with commercial cut flower food added.
3. Strip all leaves below the water level.
4. Take at least 3cm (1") off all stems, making a slanted cut with a sharp knife or very sharp scissors.
5. Avoid direct sunlight, heat, or draughts which can shorten flowers' lives.
6. Keep flowers away from fruit and remove faded flowers as they occur.
7. Top up the water regularly and add flower food in proportion

DO

1  Buy flowers from a reputable outlet, and choose blooms with firm petals or with buds that show a degree of colour to ensure the flowers will develop fully.

2  Ensure the flowers are well wrapped for protection and, if the flowers are to be kept out of water for some hours, ask the florist to cover the stem ends with damp paper, or even to "aquapack" them in their own water `pod'.

3  Ask for cut flower food if it is not already supplied. This contains the correct ingredients to a) feed the flowers properly, b) keep bacteria at bay (which blocks the stem and stops water uptake), c) encourage buds to open, d) lengthen the life of the flowers. Snipping the corner off a one-dose sachet and adding it to the vase water is simple and effective - and scientifically tested to make your flowers last longer.

4  Use lukewarm water - there's less oxygen in it, and helps prevent air bubbles in the stem that will block water uptake. It also encourages some flowers to open up. The only exception to this is spring bulb flowers like daffodils and tulips which prefer cold water.

5  Use thoroughly clean vases - bacteria kills flowers.

6  Cut stems at an angle.This gives the stem a bigger area to take up more water, and stops it resting on the bottom of the vase and sealing itself.

7  Follow the care and conditioning stages outlined below to prolong the life and beauty of the flowers.

DO NOT

1  Smash or pierce the stems, or use blunt scissors, as this destroys the water vessels and inhibits water uptake, and causes bacteria to multiple more quickly and over a larger area. It also causes the flower undue stress which shortens its life.

2  Mix daffodils and narcissi with other flowers. They emit latex from their stems when cut, which is known as `daffodil slime', and shortens the life of other flowers. Keep daffodils alone in vases, or use the special bulb cut flower food which makes them safe to mix with other flowers. You can place the daffodils in a bucket of water for at least 12 hours on their own and then arrange them with other flowers, making sure you do not cut the stem again.

3  Put flowers near ripening fruit – it releases tiny amounts of ethylene gas which prematurely ages flowers. Dying flowers do the same so always remove them from the vase.

4  Place flowers in a draught which chills the flowers, or in bright sunlight which encourages bacteria to breed. Keep them away from over-warm central heating.

5  Put copper coins, aspirin, lemonade, or bleach in the water. They're popular tricks but they don't work, and they can't feed your flowers adequately. Homemade formulas are messy, time-consuming and do more harm than good. Follow the care and conditioning tips for best results.