Fresh Flower Care.

“Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature."
– Gerard de Nerval

Fresh Flower Care.

Flower Fixation recommends that you follow these basic care instructions to ensure that you enjoy your flowers for the longest time possible. Did you know that the first 24 hours after delivery is the most crucial period, affecting the longevity of your flowers because they absorb half the water they require to survive during this time?

CUT FLOWERS
The best results will be from keeping the water fresh and the vase clean by changing it on a regular basis (every two days.) If you don't have flower food/a preservative, use fresh water changed daily. Re-cut the stems approximately 2-3cm on an angle under water with sharp scissors or secateurs. Keep your flowers in a cool place and away from draughts, extreme heat and electrical appliances such as microwaves, televisions, computers and heaters. Keep flowers away from fruits as they release a gas called ethylene, which accelerates the ageing process in cut flowers. Remove any dead flower heads or leaves by cutting them out very deep in the bouquet or pulling the spent bloom from the bouquet, keeping the binding intact.

GIFT WRAPPED BOUQUETS
Remove paper wrapping from the bouquet as it is purely decorative and protection for the blooms. Leave the binding that holds the bouquet together intact to retain the design. Re-cut the stems 2-3cm on an angle with sharp utensils and place into water immediately. Clean your vase; change the water and re-cut stems every 2 days. Also remove any dead flower heads or leaves from the bouquet.

TULIPS
Tulips are generally delivered in bud form and open up over time to reveal their colour. Re-cut tulip stems on an angle every 3 days. Tulips don’t mind dirty water and they dislike flower preservative. Tulips continue to grow once cut and generally grow towards the light. They usually mature with a natural bend or ‘droop’, which is normal, but if you wish to keep the flowers upright, wrap the bunch in damp newspaper and stand in water overnight. Tulips will last best in a cool temperature or where the room is not heated.

ROSES
Cut stems on an angle about 2-3cm – this will assist the roses to drink properly; do not bruise or flatten the stems by using blunt utensils. Ensure the vase you use is clean. Use room temperature water: oxygen is drawn up more easily through the stems when water is tepid.

LILIES
Lilies will open better in well-lit areas. Re-cut stems 2-3cm on an angle every 2 days. We suggest removing the pollen from within Lilies as they open to prevent the staining of clothing, furniture and rugs. This can be done with a tissue to ensure your fingers are not stained. Should your clothing become stained the easiest way to remove the pollen is to dab the area with adhesive tape, gently lifting off the grains. If you rub it with a cloth, it will only become embedded in the fabric. Lilies can benefit from flower preservative.

HYDRANGEAS
Gently submerge hydrangea heads in a sink of cold water when weather is hot or if their heads are flagging. Slice bark from the bottom of the stem and make a vertical slit in the base to permit a greater water intake. Fill a mug with boiling water, Dip 3-5cm of the stems into the boiling water for 5 seconds only and then place directly into your vase.

HYACINTHS  
Cut away the lower white part of the stem at an angle which does not take up water effectively. 

WOODY STEMS
Slice bark from the bottom of the stem and make a vertical slit in the base to permit a greater water intake.

HAIRY STEMS
Such as Gerberas and Poppies generally don’t like deep water. Place hairy stemmed flowers in water no more than 6cm deep.