Instructions: How to Care for your Flowers

 

Caring for Flowers

Be it a solitary bud on a red rose, to an exotic hand-tied bouquet or even an oasis arrangement. And you can expect your flowers and blooms to last from 5 to 10 days or even longer just by following a few simple steps.

Our customers often us ask when buying flowers :
"What do I need to do, to keep my flowers looking fresh?"
"How long can I expect the flowers to last?"

 

 

 

 

Caring for cut flowers:

Fill a deep vase with lukewarm water and add the flower food from the sachet we have provided. Ensure the vase is clean, as bacteria harms flowers.
If you run out of the Dobbes Flower Food you can substitute with a teaspoon of lemon juice, sugar, aspirin, or bleach (anything that inhibits the growth of bacteria and feeds the flowers).
Take approximately 2cm (1 inch) off all stems, making a slanted cut with a sharp knife or very sharp scissors and remove leaves that will fall below the waterline.
Remove any leaves that will be below the waterline. Unnecessary leaves in the water will promote bacterial growth, causing the flowers to wilt quickly and making the water slimy.
Avoid direct sunlight, heat or draughts which can shorten flowers' lives and keep flowers away from fruit.
Top up the water regularly, add flower food in proportion and remove faded flowers as they occur.

Caring for arrangements:

Mix the Dobbes Flower Food with water and pour into the vase or bowl supplied with the flowers.
Remember to protect your furniture by placing something under the arrangement.
Never let the oasis (green foam) dry out. Simply add water to the oasis daily and enjoy.

Specialty flower care for roses:

Scald the bottom of the stem of the roses in boiling water for approximately 30 seconds before placing them in a clean vase of fresh water to which you have added the Flower Food
Refresh the vase and water daily. If roses begin to wilt, re-cut the stems.

For tropical flowers: (blooms include: Heliconia, Orchids, Anthuriums)

A regular misting with a fine spray and a wipe over with a damp cloth will ensure your tropical flowers retain their glossy foliage.

For lilies:

To prevent pollen stains, remove stamens by gently pulling them up out of the flower with a tissue.
Pollen stains can be brushed off or capture the pollen with cellotape & remove. If pollen gets into the fabric, treat as you would an-oil based stain.
To speed up the opening of buds for an event, place in a vase of deep warm water and you will have beautiful open blooms in a few hours.

For tulips, daffodils, iris :

Tulips continue to grow after they are cut, stretching towards a light source.
Turn your vase occasionally to ensure an even growth of your tulips and daffodils.
Never mix daffodil blooms and iris buds as daffodils emit sap which will kill the iris.
Add water regularly - tulips are a thirsty lot!