| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | If there is no flower flood, crush two plain, uncoated |
| Fresh cut flowers from a Florist, tastefully arranged in | | | | aspirin and stir this in instead. |
| a beautiful vase, will add a touch of elegance to any | | | | > Remove any excess leaves from the stems that |
| room, but it's disappointing when after buying and | | | | are under the waterline, as bacteria will grow in the |
| getting them home without damage, to see leaves and | | | | water when the leaves die. Place the bouquet gently |
| petals dropping after a day or two. Cut flowers will | | | | into the vase, arranging the items to suit. |
| look fresher and last longer by taking a little more time | | | | Care and attention: |
| with them initially, and doing a couple of things | | | | > Place the flowers in a position where they will have |
| differently during their life cycle. | | | | exposure to light, but not direct sunlight. Direct sunlight |
| Immediate attention: | | | | will make the flowers wilt and stimulate the speedy |
| > Keep the flowers cool, especially if it is inconvenient | | | | growth of bacteria in the water. A room temperature |
| to arrange them in a vase when they are first brought | | | | of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius is ideal. |
| home. Remove all the packaging and place the | | | | > Place them away from heat sources such as |
| flowers in a small amount of cold water. | | | | radiators, televisions, computers and some appliances. |
| > Rinse the vase thoroughly in clean water. While it | | | | They should also not be placed in a draft or directly |
| may have been cleaned and stored after the last use, | | | | under a ceiling fan or air conditioning unit. |
| most households are not dust free, and the presence | | | | > The flowers will age quickly if exposed to a gas |
| of dirt, mould or household detergent will cause the | | | | called ethylene. Ripening fruit emits this gas, as does |
| flowers to die quickly. | | | | cigarette smoke. |
| Preparation for display: | | | | > Immediately remove leaves or petals that fall into the |
| > With the stems in the water, take a sharp knife or | | | | water, and change the water completely every |
| scissors and cut diagonally across the bottom of the | | | | second day. Every third or fourth day, the stems |
| stems, about two to three centimetres from the end. | | | | should be re-trimmed and the petals lightly sprayed |
| A 45 degree cut creates a larger stem surface area | | | | with fresh water. |
| and keeping the stems immersed prevents air from | | | | These simple measures will preserve the beauty of |
| entering them. Both of these steps allow the flowers | | | | Flowers well past a couple of days, and ensure that |
| to take in more water. | | | | the money spent on them will continue to bring |
| > Fill the vase with warm water to three-quarters full, | | | | pleasure to the observer for as long as possible. |
| and stir in the flower food that came with the bouquet. | | | | |