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Tender Loving Care

Tender, Loving, Care - flowers need them too!
A little extra care can make any size flower arrangement or fresh flower bouquet go a long way. Most floral arrangements last 5-7 days or longer, depending on the flowers used and the care they receive. Adopt these tips for a longer-lasting, more vibrant flowers:

When your flowers arrived in wet foam
(basket or table arrangements)
Keep the floral foam soaked in water. Faithfully feed the foam with fresh water everyday particularly in an air-condition environment.

Making your flowers last longer
Each cut flower variety has a different life expectancy. When buying flowers, be sure to ask your florist how long you should expect your arrangement to last. Whatever variety you choose, a little TLC will go a long way to keep your blooms looking fresh longer. Here are a few handy tips that can help add days to their beauty!

Keep the vase filled (or floral foam soaked) with water containing a flower food which you may purchase from a florist. Flower foods provide sugars, balance ph and limit bacterial growth. It is a combination of additives that help to nourish the flowers and discourage bacteria from growing in the water. It is one of the best -- and easiest -- ways to extend the life of your flowers. When mixing flower food, it is imperative to follow the directions on the package correctly. Improperly mixed floral food can do more harm than good. Most packets are to be mixed with either a pint or a quart of water. Do not dilute with more water than is specified on the packet.

Check your arrangement daily to make sure it has plenty of clear fresh water. If possible, re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife or scissors that will not crush the stems. Immediately place the stems into warm solution or deeply and firmly back into floral foam.
Flowers may be displayed at any area in the house or office as long as they are kept away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or near appliances. Heat from appliances or hot and cold drafts cause flowers to dehydrate.

In a tropical climate such as Singapore, it is best to continue putting your flowers in a cool place though you have added the flower food. You would not want the humidity to cause an early suicide to these precious beauty, do you? Fill a clean (washed with a detergent or antibacterial cleaning solution), deep vase with water and add a flower food. Remove leaves that will be below the waterline to deter bacterial microbial growth that will limit water uptake by the flower. Re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife or scissors. Place the flowers in the vase solution you've prepared.