Flower Care

General Instructions

 Flowers are living things and continue their development after harvesting. With a little bit of care, you can enjoy your flowers for a long time. Some basic tips will help you extend their live and beauty considerably:

Always use clean containers and clean water. This will prevent the growth of bacteria which can block the water vessels in the stems. You can clean your vases and containers with regular, chlorine-based cleaners.

Put your flowers into water immediately after cutting. The natural wound reaction of the flowers will close down the water vessels in less than a minute when left in the open. Cut the flowers with a very sharp knife at an angle. Do not use scissors, which can squeeze the water vessels shut, and do not split or crush the stem ends.

The foliage of the flowers should not reach down into the water. The leaves are releasing phenoles into the water which block the vessels, hinder the development of the buds and accelerate the withering of the flower. They also make for a good growing environment for microorganisms.

Hard, alkaline water shortens the vaselife. If you live in an area with hard water, you can use a de-ionizer or add some citric acid to the water. Too much sodium in the water is poisonous to carnations and roses while too much fluoride will damage Gerbera, Gladioli and Freesia.

Lukewarm water is recommended for just a few flower types, like Heliconia. It can be very damaging for some other kinds of flowers. Never use hot water - this will damage any type of flower.

Adding nutrional additives usually improves not only the vaselife but also the development of the flowers. This is in part due to the actual nutritional components, but also because these additives usually contain ingredients that retard the growth of bacteria. Some types of flowers require special additives.

Avoid big differences in temperature when you bring your flowers home. During the winter time, it is advisable to them adjust in a place not heated directly, at about +15 degs C (60 F), before placing them into a heated room.

Never leave the flowers in a closed car or in any other place that is too hot. Avoid as far as possible long transports and dehydration. Do not place the flowers in the draft and keep the wrapping around the bouquet as long as possible. Dehydration can lead to the formation of airbubbles in the water vessels, that will hinder the flow of fluids even after the flowers are put into water again.

Avoid freezing temperatures. Some types of flowers will die within seconds at such temperatures.

Ensure sufficient air circulation, but without any draft. Flowers emit ethylene, a plant hormone that will, at high concentration, block the vessels and accelerate the decay of the tissue. A certain air circulation is necessary to avoid high concentrations. High quantities of etylene can also be caused by cigarette smoke, exhaust gases or the vicinity of ripe fruit, especially strawberries and tomatoes. Among the flowers most susceptible to ethylene damage are Agapanthus, Antirrhinum, Bouvardia, Campanula, Carnations, Delphinium, Euphorbia, Gypsophila, Lilien, Phlox and Trachelium.

On some flower types you may notice a discoloration on the ends of the stems. This is in most cases a result of pretreatments done at the growers place to improve the quality and vaselife of the flower. Such discolorations are not a sign for disease.


Index



Agapanthus

Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 2-3 weeks
Remarks: Early petal drop is usually a sign of transportation or storage damage.
Index


Alstromeria

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 2 weeks
Remarks: Sensitive foliage, may turn yellow prematurely. Old flowers should be removed from bouquets.
Index


Amaryllis

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Not necessary
Vaselife: 2 weeks
Remarks: Old flowers should be removed to improve the development of younger flowers. The thick stems are hollow and can be supported, if necessary, by inserting a thin wooden stick.
Index


Anemones

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 7-14 days, depending on season
Remarks: Open, develop and wither fast in warm rooms.
Index


Anthirrinum

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: When available use additives for herbal plants, otherwise regular additives.
Vaselife: 10 days
Remarks: Need plenty of water. Refresh often, replace and add additives every 3 days.
Index


Anthurium

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem, repeat regularly.
Additives: Not necessary.
Vaselife: 10-16 days
Remarks: Very sensitive to cold temperatures. Can be damaged at +13 deg C (56 F) or below.
Index


Asters

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 10-14 days
Remarks: Do not allow to dehydrate.
Index


Bouvardia

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use special additives for Bouvardia.
Vaselife: 15-22 days

Index


Calendula

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Not necessary when blooms are already open.
Vaselife: 6-12 days
Remarks: Refresh water every 2..3 days. Unripe flowers tend to bend.
Index


Calla

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 10-16 days
Remarks: Warm surroundings shorten the vaselife.
Index


Callistephas

 Handling: Do not cut stems.
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 5-7 days, with good quality and care up to 15 days

Index


Campanula

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Not necessary
Vaselife: 10-14 days

Index


Carnations

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 6-9 days, with good care up to three weeks.
Remarks: Do not keep around ripe fruit, do not expose to cigarette smoke or exhaust gases. Do not place into direct sunlight.
Index


Chrysanthemum

 Handling: Cut or break 2..3 cm from the bottom of the stem.
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 1-3 weeks, depending on variety
Remarks: Remove most of foliage (tends to turn yellow quickly). Replace water weekly.
Index


Dahlia

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use normal additives; Glucose-based additives are most suitable.
Vaselife: 1-2 weeks

Index


Delphinium

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 10-12 days
Remarks: Extremely sensitive to bacteria growth that hinders the absorption of water. Foliage should not reach into the water. Replace water regularly.
Index


Euphorbia

 Handling: Dip stem ends into hot to boiling water, +60 degs C (146 F) or above, then cut 1..2 cm from stem. The dipping prevents the flow of milk that will block the water vessels.
Additives: Normale Additives, but only at half concentration.
Vaselife: 8-12 days
Remarks: Sensitive to temperatures below +15 Deg C (60 F). Do not keep around ripe fruit. Avoid contact of the milk with eyes.
Index


Eustoma

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem, remove lower foliage
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 2-3 weeks; the first buds wither within a week; by the younger buds open afterwards.
Remarks: Avoid direct sunlight.
Index


Freesia

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Normal additives and maybe a little sugar. Alternatively use a 50-50 mix of water and sugar-rich lemonade (e.g. Sprite or SevenUp). "Diet" varieties won't do ...
Vaselife: 12-18 days
Remarks: To develop all buds: Cut, wrap the flowers completely into newsprint and place into the lemonademix for a few hours, than unwrap and put into water with additives.
Index


Gerbera

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use normal Additives, possibly add a few drops of chlorine
Vaselife: 7 -10 days
Remarks: Replace water regularly. Sensitive to contaminated water which may leads to bend necks. If this has occured, cut additonal 2..3 cms from the bottom of the stem and place into fresh water.
Index


Gladiolen

Handling: Cut 3 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Not necessary
Vaselife: 7-10 days, depending on variety
Remarks: Tips will grow toward the light. You can cut the topmost tips to improve the flowering.
Index


Helianthus

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem, use cold water only.
Additives: Not necessary
Vaselife: 12..14 days
Remarks: Need plenty of water; replace in time.
Index


Heliconia

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem, place into clean, lukewarm water
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 7-17 days, depending on variety
Remarks: Require high humidity. Sensitive to cool temperatures below +10 degs C (50 F).
Index


Hortensia

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use additives for herbal plants.
Vaselife: 10-14 days, can be kept 4..6 weeks.
Remarks: Use lukewarm water.
Index


Hyacinthus

 Handling: DO NOT cut, place into water soonest.
Additives: Not necessary, may improve vaselife.
Vaselife: 12-16 days

Index


Iris

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 4-12 days, depending on stage of ripeness during harvest.
Remarks: Start with cold water, possibly add some icecubes. Change water every two days, especially when combined with other flower types.
Index


Lilies

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives, though not required for lilies.
Vaselife: 8-10 days

Index


Narcissus

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use special additives for Narcissus; these neutralize slime secration.
Vaselife: 6-12 days
Remarks: The secration of slime makes the combination with other cutflowers, especially bulbeous types, difficult. Place Narcissus separately into clean water for 24 hours to draw out most of the slime.
Index


Nerines

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 10-14 days
Remarks: Sensitive to cool temperatures below +10 degs C (50 F).
Index


Orchids

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: None
Vaselife: 2-3 weeks
Remarks: Sensitive to cool temperatures, draft or direct sunlight.
Index


Paeonia

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 8-12 days
Remarks: Flowers harvested too early will not open. Replace water twice a week and cut the stems another centimeter every time.
Index


Phlox

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 5-10 days
Remarks: Need clean water; replace often and add additives.
Index


Ranunculus

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use normal Additives, though not required for Ranunculus.
Vaselife: 8-14 days

Index


Roses

 Handling: Wrap completely in newsprint and put into cold water over night. Remove lower foliage and thorns, cut 5 cms from stem and place into cold water immediately.
Additives: Use normale Additives; add regularly.
Vaselife: 6-16 days, depending on variety
Remarks: Avoid high temperatures over +20 degs C (70 F), avoid draft or direct sunlight. Discoloration of petals may indicate wide variation of temperature during transport.
Index


Tulips

 Handling: Place into 2 cm of cold water for a few hours, the cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem.
Additives: Use regular additives; in bouquets this can lead to earlier development of the tulips.
Vaselife: 7-10 days
Remarks: Combination with other bulbeous flowers, especially daffodiles, shortens vase life.
Index


Trachelium

Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 10-12 days
Remarks: Do not keep around ripe fruit, do not expose to cigarette smoke or exhaust gases. Do not place into direct sunlight.
Index


Veronica

 Handling: Cut 1..2 cm from the bottom of the stem
Additives: Use regular additives
Vaselife: 5-8 days
Remarks: Bending, soft necks indicate advanced dehydration during transport.
Index



We hope these small tips and hints will help you enjoy your flowers even longer.