How to Care for Fresh Flowers

Flowers are beautiful and professionally designed bouquets are especially attractive. Flowers can also carry huge sentimental meaning because they are often given as gifts from people close to us. So it's little wonder that we would want to extend the life of our flowers and enjoy their aesthetic and sentimental beauty for as long as possible.

With proper care and attention most flowers will last around 7 days with some varieties lasting for as long as 14 days. Here are some practical steps to help extend the life of your cut flowers.

Get flowers into water

After only a short time out of water flowers will begin to dehydrate. Therefore it is essential to get flowers into a vase or container of water as quickly as possible. When you first get the flowers home use warm water, not cold or hot, as this is the quickest way to rehydrate the flowers. Warm water will also promote opening of the blooms as most flowers are shipped with the blooms in a closed or tight stage.

Technically speaking the optimum temperature is 37.5C (99.5F), which is roughly body temperature. At this temperature air bubbles, which may have formed in the stem, tend to breakup. Also water that is warmer than the surrounding air is more readily taken up by the flowers.

Change the water regularly

Try to change the water every two days. The flowers should be well hydrated by now so you can use cold water instead of warm. This helps keep the flowers cool which is a key part of keeping flowers in good condition.

Use flower preservatives

Each consignment of Affinity Flowers comes with a sachet of flower preservative. Flower preservative contains two main components, carbohydrates and anti-bacterial additives.

The carbohydrates act as food which helps to sustain the flowers. The carbohydrates will also stimulate flower heads to open quicker. This is handy when you're trying to open flowers that usually ship with tight blooms like lilies.

The bactericide component inhibits bacteria developing in the water. Bacteria laden water will cause flowers to deteriorate quicker. Bacteria is also a problem because it can block flower stems and hinder the uptake of water. If left long enough the bacteria will also discolour the vase water and produce an unpleasant odour.

Simply empty the contents of the flower preservative sachet into the vase water.

If you don't have flower preservative you could add 1-2 drops of bleach to the water instead. The bleach will act as an anti-bacterial just like the additives in commercial flower preservatives.

Remove leaves that will be under water

This is important as leaves that are below the waterline will deteriorate quickly and become a breeding ground for bacteria. If you have a professionally arranged bouquet you'll find that the leaves have already been removed by the florist. But flowers bought loose or unarranged might still have leaves low on the stem.

Trim the stems

Take a pair of scissors or a sharp knife and trim 2-3cm (1 inch) from the bottom of the stem. Try not to crush the stem while you're doing this. Cut the stem on an angle to increase the surface area exposed to the water. Cutting on an angle also stops the stem sitting flat on the bottom of the vase and blocking water uptake. Once cut immediately place the flowers into water.

Water is sucked up the stem like a straw. If there is anything blocking the straw then it will impede water flow to the head. Over time the end of a stem can become blocked with impurities from the water and bacteria. Also, if a flower has been out of water for any period of time, air will be drawn into the stem which will block its ability to draw water.

Some florists recommend cutting the stems underwater which prevents air being drawn up the stem.

Re-cut stems every two days or when you change the water.

Keep flowers cool

Flowers should be kept in cool conditions. Keep them away from direct sunlight, heaters, lamps and other heat sources. Also try not to leave flowers in a hot vehicle when transporting them. This is why specialist flower delivery couriers have chilled storage on-board their vehicles.

Each variety has its own optimal holding temperature but the ideal temperature for most flowers is a chilly 4-5C (39-41F), about the temperature inside your refrigerator. Obviously these aren't ideal temperatures for people but if you really wanted to extend the life of your flowers you could place them in the refrigerator overnight or if you were going to be away for an extended period.

Keep flowers away from fruit

Fruit and vegetables produce ethylene gas which is detrimental to flowers. Carnations and Delphiniums are particularly susceptible. Try to keep flowers away from fruit and vegetables to keep them in good shape.

Similarly domestic gas is also damaging to flowers. There is a story of a flower grower who found it difficult to keep cut flowers on his farm. He suspected his gas supply may have been the cause and a check by a specialist confirmed he had a gas leak on his property.

Sending Flowers for Valentine's Day

There is no better way of showing someone you care than giving Valentine flowers. Even if you are giving other Valentine gifts, Valentine flowers add that little something extra to any Valentine's Day gift.

What Flowers to Give For some people, roses are the only flower that will do as Valentine's flowers. Nothing says "I love you" better than roses. Roses are the ultimate romantic flower, and the most popular present for Valentine 's Day. White roses are for love, red roses are for passion, and yellow roses are for friendship. Lilac roses are the choice to symbolize love at first sight. Red roses are the most traditional Valentine's flower, but white, yellow, or pink, are also used. Red Roses signify passion or strength of feeling, yellow roses stand for love, and white roses traditionally reflect innocence. A dozen red roses are considered to be a gift of love, while a single long stemmed red rose is usually seen as a passionate gift.

Other Choices for Valentine's Flowers

If you want to choose something different for a Valentine's flower, consider the recipient. What is her favorite flower? Knowing what certain floral colors symbolize can help you make the perfect choice.

What Colors Mean in Flowers

Blue Valentine's flowers represent tranquility and harmony, and give a sense of stability, confidence, honesty and security. True blue flowers are difficult and often expensive to come by.

Green Valentine's flowers bring good luck, with emerald leaves, apple-tinted blossoms, and chartreuse stems are associated with harmony and stability.

Orange Valentine's flowers suggest flamboyance, and really 'fiery' blossoms convey confidence and kinship.

Pink colored Valentine's flowers in pale pinks suggest emotional healing and inner calm, and bright shades of pink suggest friendship, and a fun romance.

Red Valentine's flowers are intense, passionate, and dynamic. Red colored flowers are seductive.

White Valentine's flowers represent peace and purity, and if they are given as a gift they are a gesture of respect.

Yellow Valentine's flowers represent hope and happiness, or are given as a token of courage and cheerfulness

This is a busy time of the year for florists so order early. Make sure you add a thoughtful message to your Valentine's Day flowers, even if you are giving them in person. It can be romantic, humorous or a quote from a poem.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/390506

Fall Wedding Flowers, Arrangements and Bouquets

Fall, the season of harvesting, has become a popular season for weddings, especially in very hot regions where summer weddings are not appropriate. A very important part of your wedding planning consists of choosing the appropriate flowers for your fall wedding.

First of all, when choosing fall wedding flowers you should decide for a color palette. Fall is a season which promotes warm, dim colors like the yellow or rusty leaves, earthy colors, gold, amber or copper. But if you want something more daring, you can squeeze in a bright terracotta or bright yellow, or even a plum purple or pumpkin orange. When you have your mind set on a palette of colors for your fall wedding flowers, be sure you also can find matching bows, ornaments, table and seat covers.

After you've got all these figured out, the next step is to choose the fall flowers for your big day. There are specific flowers that bloom in the fall, but there's always the option to choose flowers available throughout the year which come in warm colors such as: roses, lilies, calla lilies or orchids. Their advantage is that they are also long lasting, they can easily can be arranged into bouquets of all shapes and centerpieces. Be sure though that they are available at your local florist and you may also want to check out the price, since for flowers which are out of season, the prices may hit the roof certain times of the year.

If you want specific fall flowers you can choose from: chrysanthemum, marigolds, hydrangea, dahlias, sunflowers if you're lucky enough to have your wedding in September, or Aster for an October wedding.

Fall is a good season for innovation. Alongside fall wedding flowers, one can profit from the naturally colored foliage that can bring a plus to your centerpieces and bouquets. Yellow, rusty or red leaves can look awesome, especially if you can get lovely shaped dried leaves such as oak tree leaves or maple tree leaves. You can also use dried berries or fruit that can bring some liveliness and sweetness.

As an alternative to classical and fall wedding flowers, you can decide for an exotic fall wedding and choose from the great variety of tropical flowers such as Anthuriums or Bird of Paradise which are available throughout the year, are long lasting and, more important, come in shades of the fall.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4986134

Tips to Follow When Sending Sympathy Flowers

Losing a loved is really hard and nothing can make up for it. However, support and sympathy from various people makes the family members of the deceased feel a little better. Sending flowers is a suitable option for showing one's sympathy for the close family members of the deceased. That is why people all over the world send sympathy flowers to bereaved family members whenever they hear about the death of someone they knew. However, people also often get confused when sending sympathy flowers as they do not know the etiquette regarding sympathy flowers. As a result, they sometimes make mistakes when sending flowers on this occasion. Following are some tips that should be followed when sending sympathy flowers.

Firstly, the appropriate flowers and colors should be selected. In most of the world, there is no hard and fast rule regarding suitability of different flowers and colors for expressing sympathy. Most of the flowers can be used for the purpose. One can select the deceased's favorite flowers for expressing sympathy or go by the meaning of different flowers. However, different cultures deem different flowers and colors appropriate for expressing sympathy. For example, only white flowers are appropriate for this occasion in Japan. Religion also plays a major role regarding the selection of sympathy and funeral flowers. Thus, it's best to ask the florist if one is confused.

Secondly, the appropriate size and type of the flower arrangement should be chosen. Florists have wreaths, bouquets, casket sprays and inside pieces for funerals. The choice of the size and type of the flower arrangements depends on the sender's closeness with the recipient. If the deceased was close to the sender then big and rich looking arrangements like casket sprays should be given. Otherwise, a small bouquet or flower basket will be sufficient.

Thirdly, a card with a sympathy message should be sent along with the flowers. The message should be written appropriately. Many people find it difficult to put their feelings in writing at times like these. However, all that is needed is a short message expressing sympathy and offering comfort. Such messages are greatly appreciated by the family of deceased in these hard times. If there is still a problem in writing such a message, then a card with a message already printed should be chosen.

Fourthly, the place to send the flowers should be decided. The flowers can be either sent to the funeral homes or to the residence of the person, who has died. Some cultures prohibit sending sympathy flowers to homes of the deceased people since it is seen as a bad omen. Thus, one should take the culture of the deceased into account when deciding where the flowers are to be sent. Closeness to the deceased also matters when determining where to send the flowers. Close people often send flowers to the residence of the deceased.

Finally, sending the flowers at an appropriate time is important. Sympathy flowers should be ideally sent at funeral homes before the first visitation hours. If they cannot be sent at that time then they should be sent before any additional visitation hours. Rushing the flowers to the graveyard or funeral home when the funeral services are taking place is considered inappropriate as it can disturb the ceremony. If the flowers cannot be sent on the day of the funeral then should be sent within one week.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7037784

Once in a Year Celebrate Romantic Festival Called Valentines Day

Why you should give your loved one Valentines Day flowers. For hundreds of years Valentines Day has been celebrated by lovers everywhere. Where did this traditions start anyway, and why to we exchange Valentines Day flowers and candies with each other? Well, I have done some searching and I have come across some interesting stories that go along with this tradition. Some of these stories may be true and others may be just what their supposed to be-stories. Here is a short version of what may have really been the beginning of sending Valentines Day flowers on Valentines Day.

Why was St. Valentine so important?
About 8 hundred years before V- Day was established, a man named Claudius was in power in Rome. He felt that marriage was a bad thing because it made poor soldiers out of men. So, he banned marriage from his empire. St. Valentine did not agree with this rule, so he would secretly marry couples that came to him. St. Valentine was caught and soon after he was stoned and then beheaded.

Valentine Traditions:- In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"

In the middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling. In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.

some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day; it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire. A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together -- but not too closely!

No matter what is true and what is myth, V- Day has become big business for the flower, card, and candy companies. Many exist only because of this one day a year. If your and man and have a wife or girlfriend, and you let Valentines Day go by without getting her flowers or candy, your going to be in big trouble. So take my advice, but some effort into your gift too. A carefully chosen V-Day card will take you a long way; take it from a woman who knows however, Valentines Day flowers are still your best bet. If you're lucky enough to have someone who loves you on V-Day, then you should show him or her how much they mean to you. Those who give Valentines Day flowers may be a big money making machine for these companies but, this day allows those sometimes are not always able to show their loved ones how much they care. Valentines Day flowers makes it easier for everyone to prove their love and devotion to the one's that love them.

Sending Holiday Flowers

Are the holiday party invitations beginning to pile up? Are you feeling guilt over not being able to attend everyone's get-togethers this year?

Stop beating yourself up-you don't always have to be a social butterfly! Even if you can't-or simply don't want to-attend every holiday party, you still can send your best wishes without making appearance.

By sending the host/hostess pretty Christmas flowers, a festive wreath or cheerful poinsettia you can send your well wishes when you can't attend. It's a thoughtful gesture and the next best thing to actually attending the party.

A fragrant evergreen wreath will add a festive touch to the front door and welcome party guests in, while a lush holiday flower arrangement will beautify the party.

Look for flower arrangements blooming with holiday colors like reds and whites. Wintery touches like holly, evergreen and pinecones are also a nice touch. If you know the host's home is more modern then send a more modern, simple holiday flower arrangement. On the flipside, if the host has more traditional taste, then you might want to go with a taller, more traditional Christmas flower arrangement to match the décor.

Another idea is to send a miniature Christmas tree right to the host's door. Many of these miniature Christmas trees are adorned with holiday flowers and ornaments and make perfect holiday party decorations.

As you can see, there are many ways to add to the holiday celebration from a distance. After all, you can still spread a little holiday party cheer even if you aren't there!

How to Celebrate the Festive Season With Beautiful Thanksgiving Flowers

Life cannot be a bed of roses but there can be an occasional bouquet or two to bring home the beauty of ephemeral life and its joyous expression. Flowers are just that: ephemeral and joyous in expressing life, even for a passing moment. One of the moments that most families cherish is Thanksgiving, a day when the family gets together and celebrates togetherness joyously with a feast.

The perfect complement to a dinner is a flower arrangement. It is a bit of bothering to put together appropriate flowers to reflect colors of the season. The colors are russet, gold, orange, white and yellow. There are normal flowers one can find in the neighborhood or exquisite arrangement of exotic tropical flowers in these shades sourced from a flower near me boutique. Arranged aesthetically in a beautiful composition by an expert these fall colors, offset against creamy white and greens or pastel pink can create just the right atmosphere for a living or dining room.

It can be flower arrangements for the important Thanksgiving Day and then discarded. It can just as well be a composition that lasts if created in silk. Artificial silk flowers look real and last for a long, long time. One such glorious composition is pale green layered silk flowers set off delightfully by a couple of pale pink flowers against a background of deep green foliage, all in silk. These are highlighted by a small pumpkin and a couple of pomegranates or kumquats on the branch for a delightfully earthy and rustic tone. Then there is the combo of blue, pink, cream and green that evokes nuances of the Victorian era or European aesthetics. It may be difficult to source fresh blue or pink flowers with the right shade and texture but silk is a perfect substitute and, what is more, the bouquet can grace your table for months. Fresh flowers may fade and wither in a day but silk lasts, a reminder of the happy times you had on Thanksgiving.

Some like the exotic combination of colors, shades and textures in a colorful bouquet such as a black holder holding a riot of pink, orange, mauve, yellow and blue flowers topped with a pumpkin. Others may like to keep it simple in which case a bunch of red or crimson rosebuds in a base of the white holder with some greens peeping out from underneath could be what they like. A word in passing: Consider the backdrop against which the flowers will be set and then place the order to get a bouquet that will truly stand out. Another thing to consider is the size while placing the order. Too small and it will not be noticeable and too large in relation to its placement and objects around it will give it an overpowering presence. Size matters just as much as color, texture and combinations.

When it is about flowers and flower arrangements, imagination is the limit. The same, everyday flowers, in the hands of a talented creator of bouquets can truly come together in a dazzling composition. Find one and you get pleasing arrangements that express what you feel for the season.