Caring for Flowers

Making Flowers Last Longer

1. Always use clean vases or containers. This will prevent any bacteria from ruining the quality of the flowers.
2. Remove all of the leaves which will be under the water while in the vase. Leaves that are submerged will rot, thus creating bacteria and shortening the life span of your flowers.
3. Always add the cut flower food supplied to you by your floral provider, to the water in the vase. Change the water and flower food every three to four days.
4. Our grower fresh flowers are shipped when they are in bud or half open, which is the recommended state to pick flowers. You will then have the pleasure of seeing them slowly open up, this also increases the life span of your flowers.
5. Never place your floral arrangements in full sun or over a radiator. This will cause excess water loss from the flowers, and they will wilt very quickly. For a maximum life span the best place for your flowers is in a cool room.
6. Use a container that is in proportion to the amount of flowers you have. Too small of a container for the flowers will not hold enough water, and they may dry out before you realize it.
7. Once or twice a day lightly spray your finished arrangement with clear water to create a humid atmosphere around the flowers.

How To Care for Your Flowers

1. The sooner that you put your flowers into water, the longer they will last.
2. The flowers should be re-cut at the stems while submerged in water. This is important for hollow-stemmed flowers so it will prevent an airlock from forming in the stem which may prevent the flowers from taking water.
3. The stems should be cut on an angle, which will create a wider exposed area and allow the flowers to take the maximum amount of water.
4. Flowers will last longer if the plant food is added to the water. An example to an alternative to plant food would be sugar.

Alternatives to Floral Preservative

1. One quarter cup clear carbonated beverage to one vase water.
2. One cap of hydrogen peroxide every time the water is changed.
3. One part lemon lime soda to 3 parts of water.
4. Two tablespoons lemon juice, one tablespoon sugar, one quarter teaspoon bleach in one vase of water.
5. Two tablespoons of white vinegar, two tablespoons of sugar to one vase of water.
6. Use 50% warm water, 50% Sprite or 7UP plus one and a half teaspoons of bleach.  
• Sugar provides energy.
• Citric acid acts as an acidifier.
• Bleach prevents bacteria growth.

Additional Information 

Fresh Flowers & Plants

Meaning of Flowers

Official State Flowers

Planting Zone Chart

Sympathy/Funeral Information