Some of you may be thinking that flowers might be a waste of money because of their life span of a few days. But there is nothing more motivating than bringing home a bunch of flowers to arrange in your favorite vases. Fresh flowers encourage you to invite a friend over, cook a romantic dinner for your sweetie, clean your house, or better yet, making the time to pamper yourself and relax in beautiful surroundings that make you feel special.
These are some very important things to know to insure that your investment of flowers is that best it can be:
Buy from the best.
My husband and I started in the wholesale flower importing business in the early 80's and learned the art of buying flowers direct from Holland, the U.S. and South America. We also saw the need for a flower shop in Dallas that you could walk in and pick out your own flowers from a huge selection, at a very reasonable price, just like the flower markets in Europe. Cebolla Fine Flowers is such a place. We believe that the only way to insure that the flowers we offer you are going to last the longest possible and be at the lowest price is for us to buy them direct from the growers and educate you on the proper care once you get them home.
- 1. When you are buying flowers by the stem or bunch, or in an European hand-tied mixed bouquet; make sure you remove all greenery from the stems that would come in contact with the water in your container. This will help keep the water as clean as possible, as bacteria will form on the greenery and clog up the cut stems so that the flower will not receive enough water and will wilt. Use a cut flower preservative and mix it in lukewarm water as directed. The most important process in the quest for long flower life is the proper cutting of the stems. You must always re-cut the stems before you put them into water. The best tool to use is a sharp knife and cut the stem end at a very sharp angle. This will allow the greatest surface area for the stem to take up water. Scissors or clippers will compress the stem and will block off many of the cells needed to take up sufficient water. It only takes a few minutes, after the flower has been cut, for the end to dry and not allow ample water up the stem to the blossom. Place the flowers directly into the vase after they have been cut properly. Re-cut the stems and place fresh water into the container after 3 to 4 days. Make sure to check the water level in the container daily, and fill it to the top with fresh water.
2. Sometimes roses or other flowers will have difficulty in taking up sufficient water and will droop their heads prematurely. Most roses will last 3 to 5 days, and many will last 7 to 10 days if properly taken care of. Our spectacular Turino Roses are usually of the shorter variety, but the size and unique colors are superior. Many of our customers boast that these extraordinary roses can last over 10 days. If you ever receive roses and their heads droop after the first day, they need to be re-cut. Fill up a deep vase with hot (not scalding) water and re-cut the stem at a sharp angle. Place the rose in water almost up to the blossom with the entire stem under water. The head should perk up with in a few hours. You also may submerge the entire rose in a tub of water, laying flat, to achieve the same results.
3. Always keep fresh flowers in a cool place, out of the direct sun and away from all heating vents or other heat sources. Have you ever received flowers at the office, only to find your lovely arrangement drooping the next day? Most office buildings turn off the air conditioning at night and over the weekends and the heat can rise drastically. Taking your flowers home will insure the proper temperature if your office is too warm.
4. One of the biggest mistakes people make when receiving a fresh flower arrangement is not giving it sufficient water. If you receive flowers arranged in a basket or container other than a vase, it will need to be watered or the water level checked twice a day. The flowers will be arranged in a plastic container, inside the basket, holding floral foam. Reach inside the container with one finger and fill up the container with water until you feel the water level reach the top. If your flowers are in a vase, fill it to the top each day and this will help the flowers drink more easily. Please be sure to fill your container over a sink or nonporous surface, if you happen to overfill your vase, we would hate for you to splatter your fine wood tabletop.
5. Make sure that you remove all flowers and foliage that have begun to fade. This will keep your arrangement looking fresh for many days longer
6. Many flowers will dry beautifully after they have past their prime in your fresh flower arrangement. Do not throw your arrangement away just when it isn't looking it's best. Take out all of the flowers that dry well, (Roses, peonies, hydrangea…) tie them in small bunches and hang upside down in a closet or attic. The higher the temperature the better. Use a rubber band to tie them, as when they shrink, the band will grip them so none will fall out. The drying process takes about two weeks and then your flowers are ready a dried flower arrangement, dried wreath, a topiary or fragrant potpourri. Arrange and spray with a floral sealer or hairspray to keep the bloom color and shape. Add essential oils, spices or dried fruits for color and fragrance.
