Toronto Florist - Flower 411

HOW TO CARE FOR FRESH CUT FLOWERS

Blooming Beginnings

Extra care of fresh cut flowers can prolong the enjoyment period. Following are some tips to help get fresh cut flower arrangements off to a good start:

Cool Off – While preparing to put the flowers in a vase, store the blooms in a cool place.

Keep it Clean – Vases, floral clippers and knives should be clean. Wash the tools and selected flower container with a detergent or antibacterial cleaning solution.

Food for Thought– Commercial flower food solution is a must. Follow the mixing instructions on the flower food packet. Do not over dilute the solution.

Leaf’ Em– Remove all leaves on the stems below the water line. Leaves in water will promote bacterial microbial growth thereby shortening the life of your flowers.

Under the Knife– Re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife while under running warm water. Place the flowers in the vase solution you’ve prepared.

Climate Control – Keep fresh flowers out of direct sunlight and away from drafts (like air vents, heater vents, fans, appliances) . Ideal temperature for flowers is 65 to 72 degrees.

Gas- Keep all flowers away from Fruits. Ethylene gas will wilt your flowers.

Maintenance Musts

To prolong the life of fresh cut flowers, maintenance is vital. It is important to re-cut stems and change water often.

Downsize – The once appropriate vase may be too big once the stems are cut. Change to a smaller vase and rearrange.

Be creative!

Divide and Multiply –Separate flowers into different groupings and move them into different rooms of your home as the stems get shorter and the vases change.

Maximum Enjoyment – When your flowers are coming to the end of their life cycle, cut the stems 1/2″ from the blooms and float them in water. Or place petals on a plate and let them dry naturally creating your own potpourri.

I’m Out- If you run out of flower food try the homemade version-

Flower Food Recipe

1 teaspoon of bleach

1 teaspoon of vinegar

2 teaspoons of sugar

1 litre of room temperature water

4 the Love of Roses

Facts you should know about roses:

Roses love love LOVE WATER. They hydrate (intake of water) through their bark, stem, thorns and petals. The quicker the rose is immersed in water the better. The more in contact with water the entire rose is the longer it will last, so watch that water level. Research has shown that a molecule of water can move from the base of a 24-inch cut rose to the petals in 30-seconds or less.

What to do when receiving or purchasing roses?

Make sure your roses are never left in an area where they may freeze or overheat. Do NOT place your roses in the trunk of your car and or leave in an unheated vehicle in the winter. The damage once done is irreversible. However do make sure your roses are not in direct contact with the heating vent of your vehicle or in your home. Keep them away from drafts, vents and direct contact of lighting. Flowers are delicate and require special care and consideration in order to have an extended vase life.

What are the steps to care of roses?

Step 1. Upon receipt, open the box/ wrapping and give your roses attention. If you cannot attend to your roses immediately, open the wrapping and place it in a cool dark place until you can take a few moments to properly care for your gift of roses. Make sure your roses are never left in an area where they may freeze.

Step 2. Remove any leaves that might be under water when you place the roses in your container. Be careful not to cut through, nor scrape, the green bark on the outside of the stem. Air can enter the water conducting passages through the injuries and restrict water uptake. Bacteria in the water can clog stems.

Step 3. Mix floral preservative in warm water (about 100F or 37.80C). Place the solution in your vase. If you have some extra preservative solution, save it in a specially marked container to add to your roses later.

Step 4. With a sharp knife or shears, cut about an inch off the end of each stem. IMPORTANT: HOLD THE END OF THE STEM UNDER RUNNING WATER, OR UNDER WATER IN A CONTAINER, WHILE YOU MAKE THE CUT!!! This will avoid the stem-end drawing in air rather than water.

Step 5. As soon as the cut is made, place the rose in a clean, deep vase filled with warm preservative solution. If possible, then place the roses and container in a cool, dark room, for 2 to 4 hours.

Step 6. Remember to repeat the process every 2 days to prolong the life of your roses.

Display fresh cut rose arrangement in a cool area out of direct sunlight and drafts. Premature wilting – bent neck- in a new arrangement usually indicates that air is trapped in the stem and the preservative solution cannot flow properly up the stem. The end of the stem may be blocked. Look for a cut or scrape in the bark above the water level. Re-cut the stem above the injured section under water and then submerge the entire rose in a shallow pan of warm water (about 100 degrees Fahrenheit)Be sure to keep the stem and head straight. A rose will usually revive within a few hours and can be placed within the arrangement.