How To Extend The Life Of Fresh-Cut Flowers

1. Florists realize the virtue of cutting flower stems under water before transferring them from bucket to vase. When flower and foliage stems are exposed to air they will immediately begin to seal up inhibiting the absorption of much needed nutrients. Secondly, when fresh cut stems are exposed to air, bubbles of air become trapped in the stems, preventing the steady flow of water to uptake through the stem.

2. Florists and commercial growers use lukewarm water for their cut flowers. The water temperature should be comfortable to the wrist, approximately 100F to 110F. The object is to facilitate the water and nutrients to get to the head of the flower as quickly as possible. Warm water molecules move faster than cold water molecules and thus will greatly enhance the absorption process. The one exception to this rule is bulb flowers, such as tulips, tend to thrive in cooler water.

3. Florists know that a well balanced preservative solution drastically increases the longevity of cut flowers. Under normal circumstances, the plant will supply what the flower needs; however, when severed, the flower becomes immediately deprived of these essential nutrients. Commercial preservatives offer a form of these nutrients to the cut flower. Such solutions contain sugar for nutrition, antibiotics to fight bacteria, and citric acid to add necessary acidity to the water. When using a commercially produced or homemade preservative, always be sure to use the recommended measurements. The recipe included with this article offers the same preservative properties found in most commercial brands, and is extremely effective in prolonging the vase life.

Flower Preservative Recipe:
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon bleach
2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice
1 quart lukewarm water

4. Florists know that clean, bacteria free, shears or clippers, made specifically for cutting plant stems vastly improves a flowers ability to uptake fluids. Using ordinary scissors, made for cutting fabric or paper will crush the flowers vascular system, and prevent proper water uptake. A bulkier gauge tool, designed for cutting stems, will create a sharper cut, causing less damage to the stems delicate vain system.

5. Florists realize the advantages of cutting flowers and foliage at an angle and approximately one inch up from the bottom of the main stem. Cutting a 45 degree angle near the bottom of the stem provides a larger, more exposed area for the uptake of the water. In addition, the angle also enables the stem to stand on a point, allowing the water to be in contact with more of the cut surface.

6. Florists are aware that re -cutting limp flowers enables the stem to readily absorb more water. A fresh cut will open the veins up allowing the flower stem to absorb necessary nutrients.

7. Florists are aware that keeping fresh cut flowers away from drafts, direct sunlight, and ripening fruit drastically prolongs the longevity of a bouquet . Ripening fruit emits ethylene gas, which encourages poor petal color, discourages petals from opening, and shortens the overall vase life of a bouquet. In addition, direct sunlight and drafts are also major culprits in shortening the life and beauty of a fresh flower bouquet.

8. Florists know that keeping the Oasis foam clean, fresh and soaking in preservative treated water extends the vase life of a floral arrangement. If your bouquet arrives in wet Oasis foam, keep the floral foam soaking wet by adding a small amount of preservative treated water each day. In addition if, after a few days, the Oasis is carefully removed (while keeping the flower stems inside the Oasis), and allowed to drain for only a few minutes, then placed back in a clean vase with fresh preservative treated water, the bouquets life can last far beyond the normally expected vase life.

9. Florists know that the stems of hollow-stemmed flowers will benefit from being manually filled with water. Simply turn the flower upside down and pour water into the open cavity of the stalk. To keep the liquid in, plug the stem with a small piece of cotton, then place it in the vase, or place your thumb over the opening at the bottom of the stem and place it in the water. The water trapped inside will keep the stem strong and straight.

10. Florists understand the advantages of removing excess foliage and dieing, wilted blooms. By removing all the lower foliage when initially creating a bouquet, and by tossing the dead flowers as they begin to die, the vase life of an arrangement can be lengthened or even doubled. Changing the water, adding the correct amounts of new preservative, and rearranging the bouquet to compensate for any loss, will also lengthen the cut flowers general appearance and overall freshness. Simply by taking simple steps to freshen the bouquet, retarding the bacterial growth, you can increase the beauty and life of a bouquet while also creating a bright, appealing floral arrangement that will last well beyond its anticipated expiration

Author: Janet Arango
10 Ways To Extend The Life Of Fresh-Cut Flowers Like a Professional

The True Meaning Of Sending Roses To Someone Special

Who doesn’t like flowers? Whether it’s to celebrate a special event like a birthday or graduation, to cheer someone up, or the most common use of flowers: to declare love for that special someone. Known as a universal gift for every occasion, flowers can simply brighten up one’s day. There are various types of flowers, but one of the most common flowers that are more popular are roses.

Traditionally, roses are given by men to women to symbolize admiration and love. Did you know that the different colors of roses connote different meanings too? The different colors are ways of expressing feelings and emotions. Let’s start with the least popular colors first. Orange roses indicate enthusiasm, desire and fascination. Pink roses convey happiness and gracefulness, thus, used in birthday parties of women. Blue roses, like their color are used to describe the uniqueness of the recipient. Dark pink sends out gratitude, while light pink describes one’s joy and sweetness. Peach roses have the same meaning as pink roses too. Yellow simply means caring and symbolizes friendship, while white roses express purity, innocence, heavenly and charm.

Let’s now move on to the most popular rose color: red roses. They say if you give a bouquet of red roses to someone, it means you really love them. But what do red roses really mean? In a nutshell, red roses mean love, respect, and passion. This is probably why most roses given out on Valentine’s Day, are red. For the longest time, red roses have also been used to depict strong romantic feelings for someone. A gentleman who gives a dozen red roses to a woman, clearly has deep feelings for that woman. Seen as the classic rose color, this color is also seen in most movies or even read in classic fairytales.

Red roses, when combined with other colors, give out a different meaning altogether. When combined with white roses, they can signify courage and unity. Red and yellow rose combinations are for happy feelings, and joviality. For most honeymoon suites that use scattered petals as lovely room decorations, red is also the most prominent color. This is probably to promote excitement and romance in the bedroom. Even the leaves of the roses have significance too: hope.

A different meaning corresponds to the kind of red rose a gentleman gives out too. Cardinal red signifies desire, and firery red is for the flames of passion. A deep red rose is for admiration, or sometimes, embarrassment.Different amounts of red roses have several meanings too. A single red rose, for instance, has a simple yet powerful meaning: “I love you.” Two roses joined together mean gratitude, and a dozen roses is the ultimate declaration of love. Twenty five red roses is sent out to congratulate someone, while fifty roses mean unconditional love.

Even if there are a lot of flowers available in flower shops, online shopping is readily available too. Some flower directories are also available online. Red roses are still the most romantic. They will always remain a classic because there’s no more passionate way to tell your significant other you love her: other than red roses.
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Tips On How To Get Rid Of Rose Diseases

Simply follow these tips to ensure that your prized roses remain in the best of health at all time .

1. Black Spots on Leaves

This disease is commonly known as black spot. Black spots appear as circular with fringed edges on leaves. They cause the leaves to yellow. Remove the infected foliage and pick up any fallen leaves around the rose. Artificial sprays may be used to prevent or treat this kind of rose disease.

2. Stunted or malformed young canes

Also known as powdery mildew . This is a fungal disease that covers leaves, stems and buds with wind spread white powder. It makes the leaves curl and usually turn the colour to purple. Spray with Funginex or Benomyl to treat this fungal disease.

3. Blistered underside of leaves

Better known as rust . This disease is characterized by orange-red blisters that turn black in fall. It can survive the winter and will then attack new sprouts in the spring. Collect and discard leaves that are infected in fall. Get rid of this disease by spraying Benomyl or Funginex every 7-10 days .

4. Malformed or stunted leaves and flowers

This is caused by spider mites. They are tiny yellow, red or green spiders found on the underside of leaves where they suck juices. The application of Orthene or Isotox may help in treating this infestation.

5. Weak and mottled leaves with tiny white webs under them

This is caused by aphids. They are small soft-bodied insects that usually brown, green or red. Often clustered under leaves and flower buds, they suck plant juices from tender buds. Malathion or diazinon spray may help roses to survive these bugs.

6. Flowers that don't open or are deformed when they open.

Thrips could be the reason behind this problem. They are slender, brown-yellow bugs with fringed wings that also suck juices from flower buds. Cut and discard the infested flowers. Orthene and malathion may also treat this problem.

Remember that roses are hungry feeders that require much fertilizer to become healthy bushes.

Red Roses - The Best Way To Show Your Love

Roses, which symbolize love and passion, are the best way to express your feelings. There is no better gift than a dozen long stem red roses to give to the one who means the world to you. A gorgeous bunch of velvety roses will touch her heart like nothing else can.

Different colors of rose symbolize different feelings and emotions. While pink roses denote gratitude and appreciation, white roses depict purity and true love, and yellow roses stand for friendship. But the most popular and loved of all are red roses. A true symbol of love, passion, and romance, they are the best way to say "I love you."


There are so many ways to tell a woman that you are head over heels in love with her. Fine chocolates and romantic dinner may make her heart flutter. But without a bunch of red roses all this will be incomplete. So take her breath away with a dozen of the finest red roses beautifully arranged in a bubble bowl or a vase.

Red roses are a classic choice for wedding celebrations too. What could be better than a dainty red rose bouquet for all you brides out there, looking for the perfect bridal bouquet? Red roses contrast so beautifully against your beautiful white wedding gown and will add that burst of color that you want. Not only will you look stunning, but with a red rose bouquet in your hand you can, in a subtle way, express your love. And as for wedding centerpieces, a simple yet elegant dozen long stem red roses arranged in a vase will be a perfect choice.



If you want the best of red rose bouquets, then OnlineFlowers.com has a variety of red rose arrangements and bouquets to choose from. Send a dozen red roses to the love of your life today and watch her face light up with joy.

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Enjoy Tropical Flowers And Plants

Add a bit of the tropics to your environment by growing tropical flowers and giant leafy plants:

Close your eyes and think of tropical flowers. Can you imagine how they smell, look, and make you feel? Can you envision yourself in a hammock on a lazy summer day with a tropical drink in hand?

Do you feel the breeze blowing past you? Are you on a tropical island? No, you are in your own backyard! Tropical and exotic flowers grown in containers or pots are the easy way towards creating that special "summer feeling" that will make your deck, patio, and yard a fun and festive place to be.

I first experienced tropical flowers when I lived on the island of Okinawa. My yard had three hibiscus shrubs that had incredible blooming scarlet flowers. I loved them so much that when I moved back to the states I grew a hibiscus plant in a large container on my back patio. The plant provided ongoing blooms during summer months and the leafy green plant brought a fresh feeling to my home when I brought it inside for the winter.

In tropical regions, tropical plants and flowers can be grown in the ground as a flowering landscape plant. In all other regions, you have to bring your plants and tropical flowers indoors when temperatures dip down into the 50s. Tropical plants thrive in humid conditions and need to be grown in full sun to medium shade. Ideal temperatures for growth range between 55 and 100 degrees.

Growing tropical flowers & plants in containers:
Do not use soil from the garden for container planting. Use a commercial potting mix containing high levels of organic matter.

Tropical plants need to have excellent drainage to keep roots from rotting.
As with all indoor plants, make sure to pick a container that has drainage holes in the bottom.

Choose a container that allows the roots plenty of room to grow.
Terra cotta pots, plastic planters, wooden half-barrels, and pottery are all good choices.

Fill the container one-quarter deep with soil and position plants at the proper depth. Follow specific directions that are included with your new plant when you buy it. Then fill soil up to one-inch below the top of the container and add a thin layer of mulching material.

Group several varieties of tropical flowers together and make sure to vary the height of the pots. Doing so will add depth and interest to your grouping and it will make watering a breeze!


Tropical flowers/plants that grow well in containers:



Hibiscus
Cannas
Bromeliad
Caladiums
Orchids(of course not all species)
Palm Trees
Bamboo
Heliconia
Tropical Ginger

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Note : This article was written by a anonymous author at www.flowers-and -garden.com