Flower Care
Flower Care and Instructions
Cut Flower Arrangements
There is no post-harvest procedure that can improve the quality of cut flowers or potted flowers. Each flower has a normal, genetically determined maximum vase life. However, there are many factors that reduce vase life. These include food depletion, attack by fungal and bacterial diseases, fluctuations in temperature, mechanical damage, poor water quality, wilting and general water stress and the accumulation of athylene. Some important considerations for maintaining or improving vase life are given here.
*Maintain cool temperature. Keep flowers cool. Vase life drastically decreases as flower temperatures increase. Most flowers are best stored at 1-2 ℃, except tropical flowers such as anthurium, ginger, proteas, orchids, which should be store at 10-13℃.
*Pay attention to hygiene
*Please ensure water containers are filled regularly, not overwatering or drying. (water daily)
*Avoid heat, direct sunlight, drafty places and keep try not to place on T.V
*Keep flowers away from food and remove wilted flowers so they do not rot.
Flowering Plants
* Temperature: Many flowering plants grow best at night temperatures of 50 to 60 F, and day temperatures of 65 to 70 F. Keep them away from drafts.
* Light: Flowering plants are live, so they require sunshine and particularly in winter. So, place them near a window that gets sufficient sunlight.
* Watering: Inspect the soil daily and add water when the soil feels dry to the touch. When watering, ensure sufficient water has penetrated the soil to the roots.
* Humidity: Keep room humidity as high as possible. This helps the plants stay hydrated.
* Fertilizing: If you keep flowering plants longer than six to eight weeks, some plant food should be added. Follow directions on the fertilizer package.
* Transplating: If you are planning to transplant your flowering plant into the garden, it's best to do it in the cooler months, see specific planting instructions on the tag.
Leafy Plants
* Light: Place leafy foliage plants in or near a window where they receive good light during part of the day. Intense sunlight in the Summer months will draw the water from the leaves and leave your plant wilted or sun scorched. Plants thrive near a south or east window during the fall, winter and spring months.
* Temperature: Most foliage plants thrive best at night temperatures of 60 to 65 F, and day temperatures of 70 to 80 F.
* Watering: Ensure the soil is always moist. Check water levels once a week. When the soil feels dry to the touch, add enough water to wet the soil all the way to the bottom of the pot. Be sure that any excess water is drained off, otherwise the damp conditions may cause root rotting.
* Fertilizer: Star Florist - Since the amount of soil and nutrients available in a small pot is limited, small quantities of plant food are required at monthly intervals, used according to the directions on the package. Depending if you are using slow release fertiliser or fertilizer for rapidly growing plants, you will need to adjust the dose depending on the plant and it's requirements. Fast growing Spathiphyllums will require most fetilizer than say a cactus plant.