Flower care
Help your flowers last
Fresh flowers love a little attention. These are the same habits our team uses every day in the workroom, and they only take a minute or two.
1. A fresh cut
Snip around 2cm from the bottom of each stem on a slant, using clean, sharp scissors. Strip off any leaves that would end up underwater.
2. A clean start
Fill a clean vase with cool water and stir in the flower food if a sachet came with your flowers.
3. Every second day
Tip out the old water, rinse the vase, refill and trim the stems again. Lift out any blooms that are past their best so the rest stay fresh.
4. Somewhere cool
Warmth is the quickest way to tired flowers, so keep them away from sunny spots, heaters, air conditioning and fans.
Finding the right spot
A cool room out of direct sunlight is ideal. Steer clear of windowsills, the top of the fridge and the fruit bowl, because ripening fruit releases a gas that makes flowers fade sooner. On hot days, moving them to the coolest room in the house overnight can add days to their life.
Arrangements, boxes and baskets
Topping up
Arrangements sit in wet floral foam or a hidden water source. Top it up with a little water each day so it never dries out; the foam should always feel damp.
Bouquets with a vase
If your bouquet arrived in a vase, it’s ready to enjoy as it is. After a couple of days, give it the fresh cut and clean water routine above.
Sympathy flowers after the service
Families often take tributes home after a funeral. Wreaths and casket sprays are made in floral foam, so add a small cup of water to the foam each day and keep them somewhere cool. If you’d like to keep a few blooms for longer, gently lift some out, trim the stems and pop them into a vase of fresh water.
Looking after plants
Water when it’s needed
Feel the top few centimetres of soil. If it’s dry, give the plant a good drink and let any extra water drain away. Too much water does more harm than too little, so never leave the pot standing in a saucer of water.
Light
Most indoor plants are happiest in bright, filtered light. A spot near a window with a sheer curtain is perfect; harsh direct sun can burn the leaves.
Peace lilies
These are easy to read: the leaves droop when the plant is thirsty and lift again a few hours after watering.
Orchids
Soak the pot about once a week, then let it drain completely. Keep it in bright, indirect light. Once the flowers drop, cut the stem just above a node and you may see a second flowering.
Flowers and pets
Not every flower or plant is pet friendly. Lilies are the most dangerous for cats: the petals, leaves, pollen and even the vase water can make them very sick. If you think your pet has eaten something it shouldn’t, ring your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738, open 24/7.
Need a hand with your flowers?
Give us a call on 03 9758 9539. We’re always happy to help.