Enjoy your flowers for longer !  Flowers and plants need only simple care to keep them looking great and gorgeous.

Cut Flowers

Upon receiving flowers, unwrap them asap and put in a cool place.  If you find flowers slightly wilted around the outer petals, it is simply due to lack of water.  Flowers need water to perk up, so hydration is important during the first few hours.

Choose an appropriate clean vase and fill it with fresh, room temperature water.  Add flower food to the water and remove foliage which below the water level in the vase.  This will help discourage bacteria growth and increase the life expectancy of flowers.

Flower stems can be cut to various lengths, depending on the type of vase you have.  Cutting flowers' stems at a 45-degree angle will ensure that they have plenty of surface area to absorb water and that they won't sit flat on the bottom of the vase.  Avoid placing the flowers near ripening fruit, direct heat, in direct sunlight or in a draught.

Water is important to flowers just as to you and me, so be sure to maintain the water level in the vase by topping it up every day.  Flowers also require clean water, so make sure to change flower's water every 2-3 days.  Also re-cutting the stems every 3-4 days may make your flowers last longer.

Flower Arrangements

Firstly, make up the flower food as described on the sachet.  Pour it over to the flower foam and avoid pouring it on the flowers.  Keep the flower foam moist by adding fresh water every 2-3 days.

Avoid placing the flowers near ripening fruit, direct heat, in direct sunlight, air conditioners or in a draught.

Caution: Lily pollen can stain.  Blossom lilies have pollen, so the pollen stamens should be removed when you received.  If you get any lily pollen on your clothes, DO NOT rub it off with your hands (rubbing can make pollen deeper into the fabric).  Use a toothbrush or a dry towel to brush off the pollen and remove it by dabbing with cellotape.

Phalaenopsis Orchid Plant

Phalaenopsis originates from the rain forests of central Asia.  They are epiphytic plants and grow on tree branches in the tropical jungles.  They can blossom at almost any time, but their peak blossom period is spring.

They love humid conditions and a bright bathroom is an ideal place for them to grow.  During the misty early summer, a windowsill with sufficient sunshine is also a popular spot.

It is essential that the root system receives natural sunlight, this is why they are planted in pots, ensure there is sufficient space between the plant and pot.  Water the plant twice a week during summer and just once during winter.  Remember always to water (about an inch) from the bottom and use tepid water

When the flowers have died off, remove the dry stem about the node (make the cut above the node).  This will encourage new growth and blossom.