Care for your hand-tied bouquet

If you are lucky enough to have been presented with one of our beautiful hand-tied bouquets (with or without a water bag), how should you care for it?  Below we have some easy instructions to ensure your bouquet lasts for you to enjoy for longer.

Handtied Bouquet In Water

General care cards state that, you can keep your bouquet in the water bag, for ‘up to’ 2 days.  We would recommend that they are only kept in the water bag up to 1 day.  Flowers drink water so please ensure you top up the water regularly (if needed) slowly through the centre of the bouquet being careful not to overfill the water bag it is supplied in.  After a day you should remove the packaging and place the bouquet in a vase away from heat and drafts (radiators/air conditioners etc and not in direct sun), with fresh water using the plant food supplied with your bouquet by following the steps below for a cut flower bouquet.

Cut Flower Bouquet (not in water)

If you have been presented with a cut flower bouquet, which is not in a water bag you can follow these easy steps below to ensure your flowers stay fresher for longer:

• Carefully remove all packaging.
• Keep the string tied around stems if you want to keep the shape we have created for you, remove it if you want to arrange the flowers yourself in your vase.
• Clean your vase thoroughly using hot water and washing up liquid, or rinse with water to which you have added a teaspoon of bleach. This will neutralize any bacteria on the inside of the vase and it will help your flowers live longer.
• Holding the bouquet up to the vase to get the right length then use a sharp, clean knife or scissors, cut 3cm off each stem at a 45-degree angle.
• Place the bouquet in your vase, check that it sits in proportion to the vase, then top up with freshly drawn water until the vase is three-quarters full.
• Be careful to remove any fronds and leaves which lie below the water level; these will decompose and contaminate the water and could damage your flowers.
• Place the bouquet in a cool position, away from heating or cooling vents, appliances, direct sunlight or draughts.
• Keep away from ripening fruit.
• Add fresh water daily.

Things To Remember

Always remember that lily pollen can stain fabrics, clothes and upholstery.  In case of contact, dab off with sellotape and do not use water.  Berries may also stain and should not be eaten. Keep flowers away from young children and pets as some flowers can be poisonous to pets and can cause irritation to the skin.  Always wash your hands after arranging your flowers, some flowers have sap which can irritate your skin.