In order to make your flowers last as long as possible,please follow the simple set of instructions listed below.
- Fill a clean vase with fresh cold water and the correct amount of flower food.
- Cut stem ends under water at an angle with a sharp knife.
- Remove all leaves which will be below water level.
- Check the water level daily and replace with fresh water and flower food if necessary.
- Do not place flowers in a draught or near any heat source or ripening fruit. These will reduce the vase life of the flowers.
Many plants only require a water top-up every three or four days, some will appreciate a regular spray as well, although some plants such as the cyclamen may rot if their leaves are watered.
More on Flower Care
Specific care instructions, depending on the style or design of your flowers.
- Hand tied bouquet care
These are arranged for you and tied together, and the first rule is not to cut the binding string. It doesn't harm the flowers and it keeps the look of the bouquet. If it's been delivered aqua packed (i.e. there's a bubble of water around the stems) hold the bouquet over a sink and cut the bottom off the film. This method of delivery is ideal for flowers which do not travel well or cannot withstand a lack of nourishment.
Many hand-tied bouquets feature stems which are open and flat. Gently lay the bouquet on the side and cut the stems at a 45 degree angle. Select a vase with a neck wide enough to accommodate the bouquet and fill it with cold, clean water. Add a sachet of cut flower food and stir until dissolved. Place the hand tied bouquet in the vase taking care not to knock the flower heads.
Check the water level in the vase daily and top up if necessary. Change the water as often as you can , re-cutting the stems at the same time.Spray the arrangement with a gentle mist of water daily. - Presentation bouquets
Made with a collection of loose flowers, presentation bouquets give you the flexibility to arrange the flowers in two or three vases depending on the size of the bouquet. Cut and condition the flowers as above. Make sure you use clean vases as residue from previous arrangements can harbour bacteria that reduce the life of your flowers. Keep them away from harsh sunlight and heat-producing appliances � but make sure they are somewhere you can see and enjoy them! - Flower arrangements care
Arrangements in green foam are easy to look after, however they will not last quite as long as cut flowers in water. Oasis foam arrangements are kept in a water-retaining foam, and upon receiving the arrangement you should gently pour clean water into the centre or back of the design. Wait until the water is absorbed by the foam and then add some more water. Keep doing this until the arrangement will take no more water.
Having watered the arrangement, gently tip off any excess water, wipe and dry the base. Top up the arrangement with water each day.
As with other arrangements, do not place the arrangement in full sunlight or in a window and keep the arrangement away from draughts, radiators and TVs.
Spray the arrangement with a gentle mist of water daily and remove any old flowers from the arrangement.
To rearrange any flowers, re-cut the stem ends under water using a sharp knife or scissors. Then, insert each flower back into the arrangement. Where foam has been used, be sure to insert the stems firmly and deeply.
Below is a list of some of the most popular flowers, and a brief look at how best to care for them.
-
Longiflorum Lilies
The beauty of this flower is in its length, they are best suited to a long vase with a wide head. To prolong Vase life re-cut the stems every 4-5 days. Lily pollen can damage clothing, we recommend removing the pollen stamens, this will also prolong vase life. Use sellotape to remove pollen, not water which will fix the stain.
Bird of Paradise
These flowers ooze sap which can make the flowers sticky; this sap can be wiped away carefully. Pull away wilted crests and new ones will come up from inside the �beak'.
Anthuriums
These flowers are easily bruised so should be handled with care. Lay in room temperature water for 10 mins to rehydrate from post. Don't place in direct sunlight, change water and cut stems regulaurly. These flowers like to be kept at room temparature.
Twisted Bamboo
Bamboo is tough and very easy to look after, perfect for a busy lifestyle! Keep the bamboo in 1-2 inches of regularly changed water, keep out of direct sunlight and NEVER CUT THE STEMS. The Bamboo will last a very long time and will gradually sprout new leaves.
More on Plant Care
Care instructions, depending on the specific kind of your plant.
- Flowering Indoor Plants
Flowering plants are easy to care for provided you follow a few simple rules. They need good light, particularly in winter � so place them near an east or south-facing window. Most flowering plants grow best in moderate temperatures, away from radiators and drafts and they also enjoy humidity as high as possible. Increase humidity around the plant by placing it in a plant box or jardini�re filled with moist peat moss.Keep an eye on the soil. If it is dry to the touch, add more water, making sure to wet the soil all the way down. If you keep flowering plants longer than six to eight weeks, some plant food should be added. - Foliage indoor Plants
Foliage plants enjoy being placed near a window where they can receive good sunlight for most of the day; however they do not like harsh, mid-summer sunshine.Soil should be kept moist. If the soil dries out add enough water to wet the soil all the way to the bottom of the pot. Drain off any excess water. Since the amount of soil and nutrients available in a small pot is limited, add small quantities of plant food.
Below is a list of some of the most popular plants, and a brief look at how best to care for them.
-
African Violet
African violets prefer bright indirect sunlight and grow well under fluorescent light � perfect for brightening up an office. Cut off the flowers after they die and keep the soil moist. Feed monthly and keep well ventilated.
Azalea
Azalea plants produce beautiful blooms but they require specific care. Full sunlight, regular feeding and rich soil are just some of their needs. Remove all dead flowers and keep the soil moist.
Carnations
These are sent out in bud, ready to open for maximum freshness and longevity. Always cut at an angle between the joints. Remove lower leaves.
Croton
Crotons are poisonous and should be kept well away from children and pets. They need full sunlight and barely moist soil. Feed weekly and pinch back to keep the plant in good shape.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen are dormant in summer, but at other times of the year they provide plenty of colours. They should be repotted in late summer and kept cool. Stop watering in late spring and resume watering in late summer. Cyclamen are also poisonous.
Diefenbachia
Diefenbachias are poisonous if ingested � don�t snack on this one! They should be placed in bright indirect sunlight. Let the soil dry out between watering.
Fern
Fern grows well in direct sunlight and in rich potting soil. Keep the soil dry to moist to keep this plant looking perfect in a hanging basket.
Gardenia
These fragrant flowers are grown best indoors with bright but indirect sunlight. Mist with warm water regularly, feed every fortnight and prune in early spring to get the best out of this plant.
Gerbera
Colorfull gerberas produce beautiful blooms and they prefer full sunlight. Allow the soil to dry between. Ensure the crown of the plant is above the soil and provide good drainage.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas like acidic soil and are gorgeous blooming shrubs with plenty of color June through December. They like full sunlight and good, rich potting soil kept evenly moist. Prune the plant in early spring.
Ivy
Ivy is easy to care for and likes to grow in bright but indirect sunlight. Mist occasionally and keep the soil moist.
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe are succulents which grow best indoors in full sunlight. Avoid getting water on the leaves feed only twice a year. Use general purpose potting soil with a little bit of added sand.
Lilies
These are usually sent out in bud, ready to open for maximum freshness and longevity. Lily pollen can stain clothing, furniture etc. We recommend plucking out the stamens once they start to open (before the lily pollen has developed). Should pollen be allowed to develop and contaminate do not rub or wet, vacuum area or use sellotape to remove.
Orchid
Orchids grow well in bright indirect sunlight and can produce flowers at anytime. Most orchids have sphagnum moss potting mix and should be kept evenly moist. Be careful not to over-water.
Peace Lily
Peace lilies need full sunlight away from drafts. When watering, drench the soil and allow it to dry between watering. Feed every two weeks during summer.
Philodendron
Philodendrons are poisonous if they are ingested, so do not keep them around children. They are easy-to-care-for plants and they like the indoors and grow best in indirect sunlight. Keep this plant's soil barely.
Pothos
Pothos is a good climber if given support, and they do well indoors with bright but indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moist and fertilise every two weeks. Maintain shape by pinching back.
Sansevieria
Make sure you don�t over-water this plant, and keep the soil just moist. Sansevieria is a succulent plant and requires bright indirect sunlight and rich potting soil.
Schefflera
Schefflera are beautiful, easy care leafy green plants. They grow well indoors in full sunlight. When watering, drench the soil & allow it to become moderately dry between waterings. Feed monthly spring through summer.
Senecio
Senecio is a succulent plant & flowers January through July. It grows well in bright indirect sunlight. The plant is poisonous & should be kept away from children. Avoid drafts, drench the soil when watering & let it become barely moist between waterings. Feed twice a year, once in April & once in July.
Syngoniu
Syngonium is an easy care plant & is a good climber if given support. Pinch the plant back occasionally & keep the soil barely moist.Bright indirect sunlight is best. Feed every two months when in growth.
