Below you will find our expert advice on caring for your cut flowers. If your flowers appear sleepy and thirsty after their journey it is absolutely NORMAL. Just follow our simple steps and your flowers will last well and bloom delightfully!


Roses     Alstroemeria      Carnations

Roses

Step 1.

Start with a clean dry vase.

Step 2. Fill the vase with lukewarm water

Partially fill the vase with lukewarm water so that the rose stems are half covered.
Lukewarm water can be absorbed by the rose with greater ease than cold water, helping to prevent air bubbles and allowing water and nutrients to travel to the bloom as quickly as possible.

Step 3. Use flower food

Be sure to mix in the proper amount of flower food to the water as per the package directions.
Flower food contains three key ingredients that work together to encourage buds to open and lengthen the life of you roses; a biocide to kill harmful bacteria, an acidifier to control the pH of the water, and a food source for continued flower development.

Step 4. Eliminate sources of bacteria in the water

Strip all leaves that would fall below the water level. Foliage in the water causes bacteria to grow which will shorten the vase life of the flower.
We send our roses with their guard petals on to help protect the rose during transport. Remove any bruised, discoloured or torn outermost petals (the ‘guard petals’) from the roses by carefully pulling downwards.

Step 5. How to properly cut stems

While holding the rose stem under running water, cut the stem about an inch from the bottom of each stem at an angle. Once the stem is cut, place it immediately in the vase.
By cutting under running water, the rose will immediately start to absorb water, preventing any air bubbles from forming in the stem. Cutting at an angle maximises the amount of water that can be absorbed by the stem and keeps it from resting on the bottom of the vase and sealing itself. Both of these things prevent blockage of the flow of water to the bloom, which is where the water needs to get to!

Avoid direct sunlight, excessive heat or drafts. Generally the cooler the room, the longer the roses last.
Check the water level daily and top up your vase using fresh, clean, lukewarm water. Change the water, ideally every other day, and add new flower food.
Keep flowers away from ripening fruit and remove faded flowers as they occur. These exude ethylene gas, which speeds deterioration of flowers around them.

Alstroemeria

The buds of your Alstroemeria may appear, when new, to be very tight; with proper nutrition from flower food they will open to full bloom and maximum enjoyment.

Step 1.

Fill your vase with fresh, cool water to the desired level and add flower food according to the package.

Step 2.

Remove any foliage that would fall below the water line.

Step 3.

Cut stems diagonally, approximately one inch form the bottom under running water with a sharp knife or scissors.

Step 4.

Place the stems in the prepared vase immediately after cutting.

Keep the flowers away from direct sunlight, drafts or excessive heat Alstroemeria are particularly thirsty flowers, so check the vase often to ensure it is full (or the foam material is saturated) and add floral food with each water change.

Carnations

Step 1.

Start with a dry clean vase to minimise bacteria.

Step 2.

Fill your vase with lukewarm water to the desired level and add flower food according to the package.

Step 2.

Cut the stems diagonally just above one of the nodes that run up the flower’s stem. This will allow the carnation stem to more easily draw the water it needs.

Step 3.

Immediately place the stems in the prepared vase.

Carnations are sensitive to ethylene, a harmless, naturally produced gas, which can be released by fruits, vegetables, and decaying floral materials. Keep arranged carnations free of ethylene producing materials for best results.
Place your carnations in a cool, dry place. Do not place them in direct sunlight, drafts or extreme temperatures. They should be away from heating and cooling devices or appliances that give off heat. Temperature is crucial to a carnations lifespan as heat dehydrates flowers.