Tips on how to care for your flowers

Flowers are very much like people, they need a lot of tender loving care. If you’ve received a bouquet of flowers and are uncertain of how to care for them – here are some simple instructions on how you can make your flowers last longer.

• If your flowers arrive wrapped in paper, remove them from the wrapping as soon as possible and wash the stems. If your flowers already arrive in a vase, you can miss this step.
• Using a pair of floral scissors or a sharp cutter, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle about 1cm from the end, or a little higher if they are dry. Flower stems seal themselves within a minute of being cut if they are left out to dry and will not be able to absorb water. Cutting them will allow water to be absorbed again. Immediately place the cut flowers in water.
• Remove any leaves that fall below the water line.
• Change the water every other day. Flowers need fresh, clean water.
• If one flower is dying, take it out as it may contaminate the water and other flowers. This will help the others last longer.
• If stems become brown or mushy, cut them off by at least 1cm.
• When you change the water, add 1/2 the packet of flower food and mix well. Make sure the granules are completely mixed into the water.
• Keep the bouquet out of direct sunlight, humid rooms with no ventilation, or near windowsills, cooktops or dryers if possible, as flowers can wilt due to overheating.
• Most flowers will last longer under cool conditions.
• Mist the tops of the flowers each day and add plant food (which can be bought at a florist or nursery for about 50 cents a sachet) to the vase.

Sit back and enjoy your beautiful blooms!