Use a clean vase

Clean dirty vases by filing with warm water, adding a teaspoon of bleach and letting them stand for 3 hours.

Add clean water and a preservative

The preservative will keep the water clean and feed the flowers.

Strip all leaves from the part of the stem placed under water

Leaves contain bacteria and fungi, which will quickly proliferate and foul the water.

Cut stems on an angle and under water

Cut stems on an angle with a sharp knife or secateurs while submerged. Avoid blunt scissors as these will damage the base of the stem and prevent water uptake. Cutting on an angle also prevents the stems from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase and thereby inhibiting water uptake.

Place flowers in the vase

Make sure stems are not jammed into the vase and that the ends of the stems are not squashed against the bottom of the vase.

Choose display site carefully

Keep flowers away from direct sunlight and other sources of heat: such as heaters, lamps or televisions. Avoid draughts, and never place flowers near ripening fruit. The latter contains a source of gas called ETHYLENE, which accelerates the aging of flowers.

Change vase water regularly

Vase water should be changed every 3 days. At the same time re-trim the stems by cutting 1-2cm off the ends.

Remove dying or damaged flowers and leaves

This prevents flowers becoming contaminated by ethylene by dying flowers.

Want to know how to take care of a specific species of plant? Look no further!

Rose Botanical Name: Rosa Hybrida

Common Name: Rose

What to do:

• The vase life of Roses is highly dependent on flowers being kept properly hydrated.
• Remove any foliage that will be in water.
• Recut stems on a an angle with a sharp knife or secateurs.
• Use a commercial preservative in the water.
• Keep in a cool place away from heat and draughts.

 

Lily Botanical Name: Lilliums Species

Common names: Oriental Lily, Asiatic Lily

What to do:

• Remove any foliage below the water line.
• Recut the stems before placing in water.
• Use a commercial preservative in the water.
• Remove anthers containing pollen,as this can stain clothing or carpets.
• To remove stain use sticky tape.
• Keep in a cool place.
• Avoid ethylene contamination such as fruit.

 

Orchid Botanical Names: Cattleya, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Phalenopsis, Oncidium

Common Names: Cattleya, Cymbidium, Singapore Orchids, Moth Orchids, Lady Slipper.

What to do:

• Recut stems and place in commercial preservative solution.
• Handle carefully as flowers are susceptible to bruising.
• Take precautions against ethylene, keep away from heat sources, draughts, direct sunlight and fruit.
• Replenish the vase solution regularly.

 

Gerbera Botanical Name: Gerbera Jamesonii

Common names: Gerbera

What to do:

• Handle with care Gerberas are delicate flowers.
• Ensure vase and water are clean.
• Use rainwater or boiled water due to fluoride sensitivity.
• Avoid extreme temperatures.
• Recut stems before placing in water in commercial preservative.
• Avoid strong light as flowers will bend toward it.