GENERAL Flower care

At Flowergist, we bring the world’s MOST EXQUISITE flowers to your doorstep. With a commitment to maintain the vibrancy and longevity of our blooms, we suggest following these flower care tips for a flawless flower experience.

Remember! Your flowers have been in a “dormant” state without water during their journey from our global growers. If they look a bit weary or limp, do not worry. They just need to be rehydrated immediately to regain their vitality and splendor!

1. UNBOXING

On arrival please open packaging and inspect products. Our flowers are packed with utmost care, yet we encourage you to meticulously inspect your flowers upon arrival.

2. TRIM

Use a clean vase or other containers and have clean, sharp tools ready such as clippers or floral shears. Regular household scissors can damage the stem, interfering with proper hydration.

3. PREPARE WATER

Prepare lukewarm water. Optionally, you can use floral preservative. If the water from your tap is extremely soft or hard, opt for spring water.

4. CUT STEMS

Re-cut all stems to enable water absorption. For optimal results, cut them under water, slicing off at least an inch from the bottom at a 45-degree angle to maximize exposure. Get rid of any leaves that would be submerged in the vase to prevent bacterial growth.

5. HYDRATE

Place the flowers in the prepared water right away and spray the blooms lightly. Keep them in a spacious arrangement, away from direct sunlight at room temperature. Keep misting them as they open up. This process could take up to 12 hours. If some stems still look wilted, repeat the cutting process.

6. MANAGE BLOOMING

To slow down the blooming, use cool (but not cold) water and keep the flowers in a cool, dark place. To speed up blooming, use warm (but not hot) water.

Maintenance Tips

If you are using floral foam, make sure it is fully soaked in water and floral preservative. The foam should settle at the bottom of the sink or tub to be ready for use. Keep it away from heat, drafts, and direct sunlight and water it daily.

Change the water every two or three days or if it starts looking cloudy. It’s a good practice to clean the vase and re-cut the stems.

Flowers that Need Special Care

Certain flowers require additional care. If you’ve ordered any of the following flowers, please refer to these specific instructions.

Roses

It might be tempting, but do not remove the thorns. You may however, remove any and every leaf which falls below the water level along with discoloured petals. Their blooms respond quickly to warmth, but their lifespan is extended when kept in a cool area.
In the event of premature wilting, trim the stems as before, and submerge the flower – petals, stem and all – in a water bath for at least half an hour to an hour.

Average vase lifespan: 3-10 days
Seasons for blooms: All year (varies from one variety to the next)

Alstroemeria

Indigenous to South America, these tropical flowers are beautiful but as delicate as they come. The most important trait to note pertains to their water intake. They may dehydrate very easily. If you receive these beauties wrapped in foam, be sure to remove as much as possible, and proceed with trimming the stems underwater as previously described. As these flowers are known to get particularly thirsty, this is of utmost importance. Be sure to remove any leaves and excess foliage which falls below the water level. As the days go on, in addition to frequently changing the water and ensuring it’s adequate, strip the stems of wilted leaves for longer last flowers. It is important note, in the event that you have pets, lilies are particularly toxic for animals, so keep them out of reach.

Average vase lifespan: 1-2 weeks
Seasons for blooms: Summer

Amaryllis

Low maintenance with delicate stems. These blooms respond well to the guidelines stated above. Take special care as it pertains to their stems and water, however. Known foreight particularly thirsty, before replacing the plants in the vase, fill the hollow stems with water, clogging the stems until they’re replaced.

Average vase lifespan: 1-2 weeks
Seasons for blooms: Spring

Anemone

Short life-span with brittle stems and delicate blossoms. Once the general guidelines are followed, their longevity will be maximized.

Average vase lifespan: 3-5 days
Seasons for blooms: Autumn, winter, spring

Bells-of-Ireland

This variety is low-maintenance. Tend to them as instructed above, and you should be pleased with the results. The leaves may prove to be a source of irritation to some, so take care in removing them as a precaution.

Average vase lifespan: 8-10 days
Seasons for blooms: Late summer – early autumn

Birds of Paradise

Contrary to what was previously stated, these flowers enjoy a bit of warmth, but be careful not to overbear the plant. As they are sensitive to temperatures which are too low, keep a delicately balanced temperature just above room temperature.

Average vase lifespan: 10-14 days
Seasons for blooms: Autumn, winter, spring

Calla Lillies (Trumpet Lily)

Known to bruise easily while being very thirsty. Monitor the water intake closely, and handle with the utmost care. Follow the instructions as you see fit.

Average vase lifespan: 1 week
Seasons for blooms: Late spring, summer

Carnations (Dianthus)

Ethylene sensitivity. Pay attention to the nodes on the stems when trimming, and
cut above one of them.

Average vase lifespan: 1-2 weeks
Seasons for blooms: Summer, autumn, winter

Chrysanthemums (‘Mums’)

Definitely an oldie but a goodie. Follow the general guidelines outlined above for best results.

Average vase lifespan: 1-2 weeks
Seasons for blooms: Autumn

Daffodils (Narcissus)

Daffodils should be stored in their own vase as the sap released from their stems
may prove to be toxic to other plants. It may help preservation if you place your bouquet in the fridge at night after wrapping it in plastic. While hydration for the plants is important, daffodils favour shallow water, so ensure the vase and its liquid contents are appropriate.

Average vase lifespan: 3-6 days
Seasons for blooms: Late winter, early spring

Daises

Known for being particularly thirsty. Ensure you keep them hydrated along with following the aforementioned guidelines for best results.

Average vase lifespan: 4-7 days
Seasons for blooms: Summer

Dendrobium Orchids

As these flowers are particularly sensitive to ethylene emissions, it’s best to keep them out of the vicinity of ripening fruits, vegetables, or decaying plant life. Follow the guidelines for best results.

Average vase lifespan: 1-3 weeks
Seasons for blooms: Summer, autumn

Freesia

Room temperature water is best when watering and replacing the water they’re kept in. Follow the guidelines stated above for best results.

Average vase lifespan: 4-7 days
Seasons for blooms:Spring, summer, autumn

Gerbera Daisies

As they are susceptible to rapid bacterial growth, monitoring the water is especially important. At the first sign of cloudiness (indicating bacterial growth), change the water. The flowers are also particularly sensitive to ethylene gas, so keep them separate from ripening fruits, vegetables and decayed flowers for longevity.

Average vase lifespan: 4-14 days
Seasons for blooms: Spring, autumn, early winter

Hyacinth

After trimming, they should be kept in a vase of their own for at least half a day. Reason being, the sap released when cut is harmful to other flowers.

Average vase lifespan: 4-7 days
Seasons for blooms: Spring

Hydrangea

Place the entire flower in warm water for about 45 minutes to revive prematurely wilted flowers. Once done, place the stems in boiling water until cooled, then replace them in the vase. This should extend their life for at least another day. Continue tending to them as before.

Average vase lifespan: 4-10 days
Seasons for blooms: Summer

Iris

Check periodically to ensure they have adequate amount of water, as they thirst easily. Upon receiving them, it would be beneficial to ‘condition’ prior to arranging. To do this, leave them in a cool, dark area (a refrigerator is ideal) for a couple hours.

Average vase lifespan: 3-5 days
Seasons for blooms: Summer and fall

Lily

The first thing to do upon receiving lilies is to save yourself from a horrible cleanup. The pollen is notorious for staining material, so remove the anthers as soon as possible. They are also known to bruise easily, so take care when carrying out your combination of the aforementioned general care instructions.

Average vase lifespan: 7-14 days
Seasons for blooms: Summer

Lisianthus

These rose and tulip doppelgangers have no real quirks. Follow the aforementioned instructions and they should be maintained for at least a week.

Average vase lifespan: 10-15 days
Seasons for blooms: Spring, summer

Peonies

Once the aforementioned general instructions are followed, you should be able to enjoy these beauties for about a week. Pay particular attention to their location – a cool place away from the sun’s rays. However, they are known to be quite delicate. For this reason, it’s best not to disturb them unless necessary.

Average vase lifespan: 2-5 days
Seasons for blooms: Spring

At Flowergist, we’re committed to bringing you the best flowers from around the globe. By following these care instructions, you can enjoy their beauty for the longest time possible. Enjoy your blossoms!