Flowers | Care| Bouquets

BUDERIM FLORIST
3/45 Burnett St, Buderim

All About Flowers

All flowers respond best to a little tender loving care just like we all do. No, you don't have to kiss and cuddle them however by following a few simple guidelines you will ensure your flowers remain healthier and will provide you with enjoyment for a longer period. Buderim Florist always includes written flower care details and a sachet of flower food with every Bouquet and Arrangement, but to get the best out of your flowers please read the following.

A few flower types

Roses

Roses should last about a little over a week, but are a little prone to drooping. If you find this happening, wrap them in some wet newspaper and stand in cool water overnight by morning they should return to their upright self.

Tulips

Tulips actually keep growing in the vase, which is why they elongate and
curve. This is natural for Tulips and is not a sign of poor quality. If they become too unwieldy, simply (re-)cut the stems to suit the vase. Normally you will get a week from tulips.

Carnations

Whether it's a standard Sims Carnation, now available in a variety of colours or the spray carnation that look great in a mixed coloured bunch with green foliage, these flowers will last for a couple weeks and need very little care.
However, do keep a reasonable space from the fruit bowl as they may be a bit sensitive to the ethylene given off by the fruits, similarly this apply to most flowers.

Chrysanthemum

Remove any drooping or damaged buds to ensure the rest of the head keeps its freshness.
A long lasting flower, of two to three weeks easy.
Available in some wonderful colours to suit almost any decor.
Chrysanthemum is now one of the 'in' flowers for 2008/2009.

Gerbera

A plethora of colours and a sought after flower also known as Transvaal Daisies.
Similar to the tulip, they are a curvy flower and should be allowed to go with the flow.
Some florists will gently wire Gerberas to give them greater stability however this will not deter from their vase life which is usually 7 - 10 days.

Freesia

A superb and fragrant flower that will last for around one week.
A really delicate flower that has an amazing smell that certainly improves as the air gets warmer.
A trade off on the life span, you more than make up for in sheer gorgeousness and beauty of this flower.

Lilies

Are one of the most spectacular and Elegant flowers around and available in a choice of shapes.
Orientals and Asiatic Lilies will last the longest.
While Asiatic Lilies are the most common, Oriental Lilies have a stylish angular look.
Longiflorum Lilies are extremely elegant while Calla Lilies are one of the most stylish on the market.
A top grade multi-headed Casablanca will last up to three weeks with buds opening on a regular basis.
Making it a very expensive and worth while flower to have.

Daffodils

The first hint of spring. A vase of these will add instant light to any room.
However they have a down side as they ooze a latex slime, so you shouldn't mix them with other flowers unless you've got one of the special flower foods (or stand them in water for 12 hours or so and don't cut them again.)

A gorgeous bright flower to have.

General flower care tips

If you've received cut flowers, whether it's a presentation bouquet or a hand tied, you really should re-cut the stems before you put them in the vase to make sure their vascular cells are wide open to take up water.

Always cut the stems at a sharp angle using a knife if possible, or very sharp scissors.

Place the flowers immediately in clean water, mixed with the provided flower food, or they'll dry out and you've defeated the object of cutting. Make sure there are no leaves sitting below the water line, as not only will they rot and can release harmful-bacteria which kill flowers, but they'll also consume vast amounts of the nutrients in the flower food which need to get up the stem to the flower head.

To maintain the look of your flowers, repeat the process three or four days later, removing any wilting or dead flower heads so that the water supply is sent to the flowers still blooming or, in the case of multi-headed varieties, still to open.

Never ever bash stems - this was an old wives tale – that actually will put the kiss of death to most flowers as all it does is prevent the stem from drawing up the life giving moisture and goodness, in return the flowers lifespan is depleted drastically.

Depending on the type of design you receive you should follow a few specific guidelines:

1. Presentation Bouquets
These bouquets are made from a selection of individual flowers and when delivered will give the receiver the chance to arrange the flowers in to a few vases depending on the size of the bouquet and the flowers used.

Cut and condition the flowers as above and make sure you only use clean vases as any residue from previous bouquets will cause infection and reduce the life of your new flowers.

2. Hand tied bouquets
As these are already arranged for you and tied together, the first rule is not to cut the binding string. It doesn't harm the flowers and it means the bouquet will stay looking gorgeous. If it has been delivered with its own water pack, i.e. there is a bubble of water around the stems or the stems have been immersed in a water vessel that has been filled for transportation purposes.

Ensure you hold the bouquet over a sink as you undo the wrapping. This way any water will run down the sink not over you or your furniture.

3. Arrangements
When you receive an arrangement you will find the florist has made in a water retaining foam (Florist Wet Foam). These are easy to care for as the only require topping up every couple of days. Simply dribble water into the centre of the design or at the back where a good florist will have made a small nick into the foam for the water. Careful where you top them up and avoid overfilling the arrangement or you will create more work cleaning up the overflow.

4. Indoor gardens
Caring for indoor our garden will depend on what sort of plants the florist used in the construction process. In the majority of cases good florist will have ensured there is a mixture suitable for your location and a simple top-up of water every two/three days is all that is required. However there are certain types of plants like cyclamen or succulents that you need to take care with by making sure you water below the crown (the leaves), as otherwise the plant will rot. Plants need a regular spray as well because they absorb moisture through their leaves so lightly mist once a week, especially in the warmer periods to get best results.