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Flowers are a heartfelt, natural way to lift our spirits. They
can provide a smile for a tired face or even brighten a room for
a convalescent.
Just imagine your favorite flower. Are you smiling yet? You are
definitely in a better mood. There isn't a doubt that beautiful
surroundings provide us with a favorite environment that helps
us thrive.
Flowers are a simple and affordable way to add a splash of color
and emotion into your life. Tropical flowers are an exciting new
change from traditional floral gifts like roses, and with modern
shipping methods they are available worldwide.
Their large size and vibrant colors make them an impressive gift
for favorite occasions like Mother's Day, Valentine's Day,
birthdays and anniversaries. Flowers can be purchased from local
florists or "Grower Direct" services that ship them worldwide.
If purchasing flowers to be shipped, make sure someone is
waiting to accept the order and that they are not left with the
mail on a back porch in the sun all afternoon until someone
comes home from work.
Flowers are shipped without any water supply, and neglecting
them for hours on top of the shipping time can take days off
their lifespan.
If you buy tropical flowers like heliconias or gingers, or if
you are lucky enough to live in the tropics and have them in
your garden, here are a select few tips to help them thrive and
to extend their shelf life as cut flowers.
Caring for Cut Tropical Flowers
one. Water your plants well and give them a large drink prior to
cutting. This is significant for foliage plants as well because
a few varieties "drink" incredibly little after cutting.
Instead, they live off their stored sap.
Tropical plants have adapted to their natural environment which
means frequent but short periods of heavy tropical downpour.
Look at the flower heads and notice how the petals are "cupped"
to catch and store as much water as possible. These plants drink
from the top and like being showered with water.
Look at the pattern on the leaves. The ridges channel water down
to the stem where it's absorbed into the many layers of the
plant.
two. If your flowers have been out of water for any length of
time after cutting, submerge them entirely in the bath for half
an hour before placing them in a vase.
three. Cut three to four inches off the stem and then place them
in a tall vase FULL of clean water.
four. Use a spray bottle to mist them at least twice a day.
five. Change the water and trim a new end on the stems every
second or third day.
You are able to double the vase life of your cut flowers by
applying these elementary techniques.
About the author:
About Flowers and Love by
Frank Vanderlugt
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