Divine Flowers recommend 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
Use a clean vase and fill it with lukewarm water. Use tepid water as most flowers do not easily absorb cold water. You can use the flower preservative to keep the water clean as it kills bacteria which contaminates water, attacking the cut ends of the stem. It also provides food to the bloom, helping it mature.
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, this releases any air bubbles in the stems.
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.This will help to prolong the life of the remaining flowers and promote other buds opening.
PRE-DESIGNED VASE DISPLAYS
Always place something under the vase or container to protect the surface of your furniture from water damage. Occasionally mist your floral arrangement with water and fill up the vasedaily. The most effective way to do this is to place the arrangement in the sink and run the water until the vase is fully flushed.
Remove any dead heads or leaves from the arrangement.
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.
WILTING BLOOMS
Occasionally air bubbles form in the stems and can inhibit water absorption, causing the bloom to wilt.
Re-cut the stem on an angle under water and hold under water for approximately 10 seconds; this will release the air bubbles and revive the wilted bloom.
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
Remove water pouches from the stems and remove all leaves that sit below the water line in the vase.
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.
Gently remove any discoloured outside petals (these are left on during shipping to protect the rose head).
Add the flower preservative as per instructions on packet.
Change the water in the vase every second day.
Continue to remove old outer petals from the rose head to allow the rose to fully open.
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.
TWEEDIA
Pretty s the flowers might be theyooze a milky sap, which can form a waterproof seal and stop the flow of water up the stem, also making the water cloudy. Singeing the cut stem will help prevent the problem.
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.
