Flower care
Help your flowers last and last
A couple of minutes every other day is all it takes. These are the same habits our florists use in the shop.
Give them a fresh cut
Snip 2cm off the end of each stem at a slant, using sharp scissors or a knife. Strip off any leaves that would end up underwater.
Start with a clean vase
Fill a clean vase with cool water and stir in the flower food that came with your flowers.
Refresh every second day
Tip out the old water, rinse the vase, refill and trim the stems again. Remove any blooms that have had their day.
Find them a cool spot
Sun, heaters, air conditioning and fans all dry flowers out quickly, so choose somewhere cool and out of the draught. Keep them away from the fruit bowl as well, because ripening fruit makes flowers fade sooner. On hot days, moving them to the coolest room overnight really helps.
Boxes, baskets and pots
Arrangements in a box, basket or pot are set into wet floral foam. Pour a little water onto the foam every day so it stays damp, and leave the flowers where they are rather than lifting them out.
Favourite flowers, a few tips
Roses are thirsty, so check the water daily. A drooping head can often be revived by re-cutting the stem and standing it in deep, cool water for an hour.
Lilies have orange pollen that stains. Pinch off the pollen tips with a tissue as each flower opens. If any lands on fabric, lift it off with sticky tape rather than rubbing it. Lilies are toxic to cats, so please keep them out of reach.
Tulips keep growing after they’re cut and lean towards the light. Give the vase a quarter turn each day and keep the water shallow.
Hydrangeas take in water through their petals too. If one wilts, re-cut the stem and rest the whole head in cool water for half an hour.
Gerberas prefer shallow water, as their stems soften if they sit too deep. Change the water often.
Flowers that arrive in bud are meant to. Keep them in a bright room, away from direct sun, and you’ll enjoy watching them open over the next few days.
Looking after a plant
Water when the top feels dry. Check the top 2 to 3cm of soil with your finger. If it’s dry, water thoroughly and let the extra drain out. Never leave the pot standing in water.
Bright, but not hot. Most indoor plants are happiest in bright, indirect light. A spot near a window with a sheer curtain is ideal.
Peace lilies droop when they need a drink and bounce back within a few hours of watering.
Moth orchids like a soak about once a week, then a full drain. When the flowers fall, trim the stem just above a node and it may bloom again.
Keeping pets safe
Some flowers and plants can make cats and dogs unwell. Lilies are the most dangerous for cats: every part, including the pollen and the vase water. If you think your pet has eaten something it shouldn’t, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738, any time of day or night.
Need a hand with your flowers?
Call us on 03 9758 5407 and we’ll talk you through it.