Flower Care Tips - Florists' Guide For Flower Care

Everybody loves receiving flowers, but people often hesitate to purchase a beautiful bouquet for themselves. Generally the misconception that flowers will last only a few days tends to drive most prospective buyers away.

Flowers add such an incredible atmosphere to any room. Here are a few tips used by florists that help ensure bouquets stay looking fresher for longer.

When purchasing flowers

Quality is the most important factor to consider when buying flowers. Therefore it would be advised to purchase your flowers from a reputable florist. Not only do they have the knowledge and experience to handle flowers properly, but they will also be able to prepare the bouquet for you to make the conditioning process a little bit easier. This includes little things such as ridding roses of thorns or including a special flower food sachet that has been scientifically proven to help extend the flowers' lifespan.

Although you might have to pay more for better quality, it will show at the end of the day when the flowers last longer, proving to be well worth it. But purchasing quality flowers is not enough, conditioning is vital if you want to make sure that your flowers last longer.

Flower growers have created harvest programs that need to be followed by both florists and the customer in order not to break the life chain of the flowers. Without following these basic flower care steps, you will ultimately shorten the life of your flowers.

Conditioning

Conditioning flowers correctly extends your flowers' vase life. There are a few do's and don'ts that you need to follow to make sure you get the best value for what you paid for.

If you are unable to put the flowers into a vase quickly, and the flowers start to show severe signs of water stress, simply submerge the whole flower, including stem and head, into lukewarm water for about 15 minutes. After that you can start conditioning the flowers for the vase.

You can start the conditioning process by making sure that any buckets and the vase you put the flowers into are disinfected. Bacteria loves dirty containers and will shorten your flower's life span.

While busy conditioning your flowers, place them in fresh clean warm water that contains flower food. Using warm rather than cold water is better for your flowers because it contains less air, limiting the chances of any air blockages in the stems.

While preparing the flowers for the vase, make sure that you use a good sharp knife rather than a pair of scissors to cut the stems. A knife will give a good clean diagonal cut which will prevent any damage to the water conducting cells in the stem. Although this might seem difficult to do, this technique is easy to master and is much easier and more efficient than a pair of scissors.

It is best to cut approximately 2cm off the stems at an angle under water. This will accelerate rapid water uptake. The excess foliage that will be below the water level in the vase should be removed. Also clean the stems of the flowers to get rid of possible existing bacteria to help prevent rotting and further development of bacteria once the flowers are in the vase.

Make sure you use a non-metal container or vase to arrange your flowers in. Add lukewarm water and add flower food before you start arranging the flowers in the vase.

Once you've arranged your flowers beautifully, make sure to place the flowers out of direct sunlight or heat and away from any droughts. Although flowers love light and even temperatures, they do not react well to droughts.

Top the vase up daily with fresh water. Should the flowers start to droop, simply re-cut the stems using a sharp knife. If you have purchased roses, and they start to droop at the head, simply re-cut the stems and place them in deep water for approximately an hour.

After you have followed these easy steps you will be able to appreciate your flowers for much longer, knowing that your flowers are worth every cent and more!

Author Bio
Interflora is a professional flower and gift delivery service in South Africa who has perfected the art of flower bouquets and flower care.

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How To Choose The Perfect Place For Your Flower Shop Business

A flower shop is the perfect place for flower and flower arrangement marketing and those who work here - florists, flower artisans or flower designers - can offer you qualified and useful pieces about flowers and carrying them.

To choose the best place for your expectant flower shop business, we give some advices for you to follow, if want to.

Flower Shop

The most important for a flower shop business to be a profitable one is the place as a position, like we said before, (it has to be a main road or a free trade zone, however a place in front of which are passing a lot of people, who can visit and admire your flower shop and maybe buy a flower, or a bouquet or a flower arrangement) and as a functional space, because the florist need the appropriate conditions to make high quality things.

A functional flower shop space has to be well proportioned, a corporate from doorway, shop window, selling space, working space, storehouse, social rooms. Our opinion is that you have not to dispense with one of those spaces. When you visit a possible space, you need to mind and distribute it in accordance with material conditions.

The doorway and the shop window are the strongest points for a business, especially for a flower shop. The doorway includes the exterior wall, the doors and the outdoor advertising elements. People has to admire and hold back the doorway, it has to inspire them hospitability and quality. Thus a looker can become a visitor and maybe a client. On the sign board you have to write "FLOWER SHOP" and the name of course, that has to be short, in evidence, noticeable and easy to hold back.

Put the coming door behind the shop window, so this one can take the entire image.

The shop window is a must, letting the light to come in and its arrangement is very important for the visitors to enjoy and want the same decoration at their places too. A beautiful shop window reflects the neatness, subtlety, imagination, professionalism of the florist.

Tricks and advices for you to create the decorations for the shop window:

o The looker must have a general vision on the shop window

o Put the flowers you want to sell quickly under the client's eyes, on the same level.

o The shop window has to be a small exhibition of numerous types of flower that there are inside.

o The flower arrangements have to be fresh that you can sell if someone wants.

o Don't associate the natural with artificial flowers. That is a "not to do!".

o Don't you prefer the artificial flower for its resistance, decorate the shop window only with natural flowers. Consider that it's an investment for your flower shop to be noted. As we said before, the flower shop business needs time and money to be on top.

o Create a point of much interest, with color contrast (a yellow flower, like freesia or daffodil in center of a lot of violet, represented by iris) or best color combination (a joyful flower arrangement made by yellow, green, orange roses).

o Choose a theme of decoration than find and use the elements that compose it (freshness can suggest even a fruits and flowers combination arrangement; the spring will be recomposed with lilac, peony, daffodil; for autumn, choose to present a dry flowers, leafs and nuts arrangement).

o Put your imagination to the proof to create the most sophisticated flower arrangement for the shop window. That is a step for you to select yours clients.

o Illuminate it. For the flowers to maintain the natural colors, is important the light to be warm. You have to avoid the white and cold nuances of the light.

Aura Surcel is a Romanian floral designer with many ideas of natural decorations, freelance writer of nature, flowers and plants, traditional treatments and of the flower shop business. She also loves nature, flowers and to make floral arrangements.

For more information, visit http://www.flowersgrowing.com

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How to Make a Tropical Flower Bridal Bouquet

A tropical bridal flower bouquet is a beautiful gift for any bride to be. It is easy to make and makes a lovely gift for your loved one on her special day. It is very simple to make a tropical bouquet for a wedding.

First you have to get hold of the tropical flowers. These flowers are specially made in countries that have tropical climate. These countries have warm climate all through out the year. The weather stays humid and the skies stay clear. This makes these countries an ideal place to grow beautiful fauna. As such many beautiful flowers grow in these countries. Places like Hawaii are famous for their tropical fauna and many beautiful flowers grow here.

Flowers form Hawaii will look very good on your tropical flower bouquet for the bride. The flowers can be easily delivered to your house by order. There are many sites that are offering this service to deliver flowers at your door step.

You can look up on the internet for the most exotic flowers that are available at your disposal. Make sure that you do not order too many of such flowers. This is because the Hawaii flowers are individually beautiful and they do not look good in a bunch. Therefore carefully select around five of six flowers so that you can make a bouquet of them. Make sure that you select the flowers according to a particular theme. For a wedding choosing the bright flowers will make a good choice.

After you have the flowers with you the important part is to arrange them. Hold the flowers together and make sure that the most exotic ones in the group lie in the center. Also a bright color in the center of the bouquet would look good. After you have arranged the flowers wrap the flowers at a position that is a little lower than the base of the flowers with a hand wire. This will help to secure your bouquet.

Cut can remove the excess stems and make sure that all the stems of the flowers are of equal size. Fold the leaves of the flowers back and put some glue at the tips of the leaves. These leaves can then be arranged at the base of the flowers and these leaves can be used to arrange the flowers of the tropical bouquet. A final long leaf can be taken to wrap all along the base of the flowers to give a finished look.

You can use this leaf to cover the wire that you used to secure the flowers. You can order tropical wedding flowers that are especially available for weddings to make this bouquet. These bouquets are not only beautiful looking but they also last long.

This is because of the life of the flowers. The tropical flowers are known to last longer than ordinary flowers. Blooms of Hawaii can be used to make beautiful bouquet that will make your loved one's day special

Send Some Hawaiian Tropical Flowers To Someone You Love Today and enjoy Hawaiian Tropical Flowers every month by joining one of our monthly flowers clubs! Hawaiian Flowers last up to 4 x longer than other flowers. Come see our tropical flowers at pick out a bouquet.

http://www.BloomsofHawaii.com

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The Importance of the Gift of Flowers

Imagine a bouquet of flowers placed in the centre of a room and as you enter your eyes fall upon it. It gives the viewer immediate pleasure. It is then that you will get the magic of flowers - it attracts, communicates and can make you happy like nothing else. The gift of flowers has been used to portray deeply felt messages since ancient times. Although giving flowers is popular and fashionable nowadays, there is evidence to show that this has been the case for a very long time.

If you read mythical stories, you will find that for centuries, flowers have been awarded to winners in the form of victory wreaths, they have been given as a gesture of love as they are regarded as nature's most beautiful creation. They symbolise everything that is positive in this world - life, love and happiness.

The diverse shapes, patterns, styles, colours, shades and fragrances have appealed to human senses since long ago. Flowers used to be a special offering to the Gods and Goddesses and a primary part of worshipping in the ancient ages. The giving of flowers is still a part of the religious customs of many cultures around the world. The gratification that a flower offers was thought to be the only way to please the divine.

The giving of flowers as gifts originates from Turkey in around the seventeenth century. It was the initiation of floriography that appealed to a wide audience. In medieval times, flowers were associated with moral implications as well. For example, white roses or lilies are associated with the Christian religious symbolism of chastity or virginity and hereby saints are often represented with flowers to denote virtue.

The symbolism of flowers differs from one culture to another. If you are hoping to send a special message through the choice of flowers, here are a few for you to choose from:

Love can be expressed through the gift of a purple lilac which symbolizes new love. However, do not make the mistake of giving a white one as it will carry the wrong message. Forget-me-nots and of course, red roses are the best way to show true love. If it is a love at first sight, then a thornless rose or lavender rose will speak of your complete surrender. A red carnation will express how your heart aches for her. A bunch of honeysuckle will prove your devoted affection, your bonds of love. And choosing a red tulip will be a complete declaration of love.

If you have received a flower to show love, you can reciprocate the gesture by sending a pink carnation. If you do not feel the same way, a white, yellow or stripped carnation is a sympathetic way to refuse.

Love isn't the only emotion symbolized by the gift of flowers, a Star of Bethlehem gives hope, a Snowdrop offers consolation and an Aloe or Marigold will speak of your grief. An Eglantine Rose can be offered as a healing touch.

Flowers do not have to be given as a connotation, sometimes we can choose to give flowers to a loved one just because you know that they will appreciate the thought. Flowers are the simplest way to show love, which is why giving them is involved in so many events in our lives. We have flowers for weddings as well as funerals. We give our loved ones flowers at every special occasion and at their tombstones when they have long left our sides.

The art of flower arranging has come a long way to create an industry in itself. The elegance and aristocracy associated with flowers as gift have opened new opportunities for experimentation and challenging designing. Playing with colours, shapes and patterns a florist now can offer you exciting range of wreaths, corsages, bouquets or boutonnieres. With Ikebana of Japan, English Country Garden of Europe or High Style of US - the theory of flower arrangement for gifts has been revolutionized. Along with the main ornamental flowers, the fillers like Baby's Breath, foliage and ribbon have completed and enhanced the giving of flowers.

The charm of gift of flowers ranges from the countryside bunch to an artfully decorated bouquet. Designer bouquets are quite the rage too, if you love fancy tags and if your budget permits then giving your beloved or friend a designer bouquet would definitely be a grand statement. There are many specialised flower boutiques which supply all kinds of exotic bouquets and arrangements all around the year, but they also customise and deliver the same on the special occasions in spite of time and distance.

Besides all these, you can choose different flowers for different occasions. For example, if you are attending a wedding party in spring, then you may choose pale and delicate blooms, whilst an autumnal wedding would suit richer, bolder shades. For anniversary parties, you may combine the seasonal flowers with fruit basket or food hamper. The bright and colourful flowers are the best for birthday parties, while Christmas cactus with pink or red flowers and green leaves or Poinsettia with red or white flowers and green leaves are best for Christmas parties.

Flowers can be used as beautiful decorations. If a wedding venue is less than perfect, you can brighten the place up with a theme of gorgeous bouquets matching the bridal colour scheme. You can even hire professional wedding decoration agencies to do this job professionally and artistically. The bride and groom are going to fall in love with this very thoughtful and flowery gift!

Whatever your choice, be sure to send flowers which suits the personality of the recipient. People will really appreciate the time and thought put in to choosing such a wonderful gift and for some, nothing could be better.

Sam Goddard is a hopeless, hapless romantic and recognises the importance of giving flowers. He has given gifts to girls, grannies and couples at weddings.

Get more information regarding gifts flowers.

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Flower Arrangements - What to Pick?

Flower arrangement is considered as an art that has originated many centuries ago and spread all around the world. Beautifully-arranged flowers are great embellishments for virtually any part of the house. If you decide to send it to someone special, the presentation or arrangement of flowers speaks for you. They have the ability to express the message you want to convey. With the wide range of choices available today, you may find it hard to decide what flower arrangement to pick.

The main principles of usual flower arrangements consist of colors, balance, harmony and proportion. So if you will go for a traditional arrangement, then make sure that it contains these principles. If you're going to give it to someone special, make sure that its presentation is suitable to the occasion. On the other hand, if you intend to display it in your home, then there are special considerations to make before finally choosing the flower arrangement.

Flower arrangements for your home

When choosing for the flower arrangement that will best fit in your home or room, there are some things that you need to put into consideration.

o Color

The color of the flowers is very significant. If your room is filled with vibrant colors, then choose a flower arrangement with soft colors. Better go for creamy yellows or all white because they can create better statement than the brightly-colored flowers that will just blend with other lively colors.

If the room has neutral colors, better pick the flower arrangement with bright colors. Such colors will surely breathe life into the room. Just bear in mind that the purpose of the flowers is to enhance the appearance of the room, not to overwhelm the furniture and other decorations.

o Size

The size of the flower arrangement is also a big deal. Do not choose a presentation that's too big for the place where you're going to put it. Larger flower arrangements are generally positioned against a wall. In that place, they will serve as accent pieces but create a bold statement. Huge arrangement of flowers can also be put in a hallway where it can be a focal point.

Flower Arrangements for Weddings

The flower arrangements that you should pick for any wedding are the ones that reflect the style and personal preferences of the bride and the groom. The presentation of flowers for weddings incorporates everything - the flowers, the greenery, the garnish and the colors. There are many things that can be included in a wedding flower arrangement. To make table centerpieces, you can attach small flowers to candles. You can also adorn the reception site with flower buds set artistically in bowls of water. Among the popular flower arrangements for weddings are:

o Nosegay - this is consisting of a round small bunch flowers that are not heavy. It usually has ribbon streamers and more greenery.

o Round - otherwise known as "colonial bouquet". This arrangement is made up of flowers grouped together in a loose or tight cluster. It can show off informal or formal arrangements.

o Heart - it can be used in weddings since it symbolizes romance and love.

o Biedermeier - this bouquet is European-inspired with various types of flowers and colors arranged in a distinct circular pattern.

o Basket - the flowers are arranged in a thin basket and usually carried by the young girls in the bridal party

Sympathy Flower Arrangements

The flower arrangements for a funeral should depend on the casket. If the one to be used is an open casket, then you can prefer small bouquets, wreath or garlands which can be hung in the lid of the casket. Such arrangements are also called casket pieces. Many people choose flowers arranged in a basket. Such vases or baskets usually holds well-arranged flowers and are brought to the funeral service. They are better choices because they can stand alone during the funeral. Also popular these days are funeral sprays. These are large arrangement of flowers made using floral foam or an easel for support.

With lots of choices available these days, you can easily go for the flower arrangement that matches your personal preferences. But if you're going to send it to someone special, better pick the flower arrangement that's professional-looking or custom-designed to suit the occasion. In addition, if you want to send flowers even if there's no celebration at all, your choice of arrangement can be based on the season.

For more information on flowers and their special meanings please visit: [http://flowersforsomeonespecial.com/] and http://www.drnathaliefiset.com

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Discover The Secrets Of Cheap Wedding Flowers

These tips for cheap wedding flowers are essential as it's easy for your wedding flower budget to spiral out of control. Flowers are beautiful but always more expensive then you think! However there are hundreds of ways to reduce your flower costs and here are my favorite:

Get a relative to help out

Having a relative help out at your wedding it a great way to get someone involved. It's also a great way to save money! Ask around relatives and see if anyone has a dab-hand at flower arranging.

A word of advice though - leave the bouquets and button-holes to the experts.

Use the flowers from the ceremony at the reception

Often it's not necessary to double up on flowers at both the ceremony and reception. They're often the same type of floral arrangement and so once the ceremony is over, the flowers can then be used at the reception.

Check if the venue supplies flowers

Some venues insist that you use their florists for the venue. If this is the case, be careful as you're likely to get charged through the roof. Try and stick to simpler arrangements or even balloons as this will keep your costs to a minimum.

Check if the church supplies flowers

Many churches have specific rules when it comes to flowers in the church. They may insist that the flowers are done through the church committee, whereby the church flower arrangers will provide the arrangements for a small fee.

If a particular church is popular for marriages, the same flowers may then be used for all ceremonies that particular weekend. This is often a good thing, as you will usually pay a low set charge, however it means you may not get control over the flowers on the day. Check with your celebrant to see if there's any flexibility.

Use a hand-tied bridal bouquet

The bridal bouquet can come in all shapes and sizes, but the general rule is that the more complicated you go, the more expensive the bouquet will be. Having a hand-tied bouquet is an easy way to lower the costs - sometimes even by half.

Use corsages for the bridesmaids, rather than small bouquets

A corsage is a small arrangement that sits on the wrist. They're often made up of one, two or three main flowers and some greenery. They're then secured to the wrist using ribbon or tie. Because they use less flowers, they're much cheaper then bouquets.

An added benefit is that they allow the bridesmaids to have both their hands free during the day - to hold your bouquet, bag or drink.

Choose simple button holes

You can easily triple or quadruple the price of your buttonholes by choosing different flowers or multiple flower buttonholes. Go for simple, one flower buttonholes and you'll keep your costs to a minimum.

Use single flowers instead of bouquets or arrangements

The cost of arrangements or bouquets is usually dependant on the cost of the flowers used and the complexity of the arrangement. You can cut your costs dramatically by going for single flower arrangements.

The best cheap wedding flowers for bouquets are simple and elegant. Single flower arrangements make great a bridal bouquet or table centrepiece. Flowers such as lilies or exotic flowers make stunning single bouquets, and large flowers such as peonies or camellias work great as single flower centrepieces.

Hire any accessories you may need instead of buying them

Before you rush out to buy vases for your table decorations, have you considered hiring them? Most florists will hire any equipment you need to create fabulous floral arrangements. Hire equipment comes in a variety of different shaped vases, pedestals and containers for all your flower arranging needs.

Buy flowers that are season

By choosing flowers that are in season, you will ensure that you get the freshest, cheapest, best quality flowers. Check with your florist which flowers are in season for your big day.

Nicola Ray is the owner of Cheap Wedding Success, a website dedicated to planning and creating the perfect cheap wedding. With lots of advice, tips and ideas to lower the cost of your wedding, Cheap Wedding Success is the perfect place to start. You can find more articles like this one in the Wedding Flowers section.

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Christmas Flowers - A Nice Break from Chocolate

There can be no better way of adorning a very special celebration than with the fragrance and attractive colors of magnificent flowers. They can always add a joyful feel and festive look to any celebration. Most online florists offer customize flower presentations to fit all occasions, including Christmas. And Christmas flowers aren't just good for decorating a place; they can also be used as precious Christmas gifts to a family member or to your special someone. Christmas flowers are essentially a nice break from chocolate.

Christmas Flower Gifts

Usually given to relatives, friends and loved ones, Christmas flowers are wonderful gifts that serve as a symbol of the joy of the celebration. Virtually all women appreciate beautifully-embellished flower pots or baskets. They are perfect Christmas presents to remind them of their grace and beauty. Among the best flowers that you can give to your mother or daughter on Christmas day are flowers that signify happiness like carnations, daisies and tulips. Ever since, red roses have been a familiar choice. But if the recipient is a family member, you can go for orange, yellow, white or pink roses because they are more suitable for the occasion. Christmas flower gifts are usually arranged beautifully in a flower basket or vase with a small card containing a Christmas greeting.

Some men are also surprised when they receive floral gifts during special occasions. For Christmas, the perfect flowers are those that have shades of red, yellow and orange. A well-arranged basket or bouquet of red roses can be a good Christmas gift for a boyfriend or a husband. Aside from flowers and chocolates, bonsai trees and plants are also good gifts for this joyous occasion.

Well-known Christmas Flowers

o Poinsettia

Among many flowers, most people consider poinsettia as the flower for Christmas. It is commonly found in Mexico and in other countries in South America. During Christmas season, it is often exported to the U.S. as potted plants. Poinsettia is normally utilized for Christmas decorations because they can add magic to this festive celebration. This flower is called in many other names like Flame Leaf, Flower of the Holy Night, Lobster Flower and Christmas Flower. Poinsettias seem to be very attractive in their vibrant red shade. There are also poinsettias in shades of pink and white. Some people believed that these star-shaped flowers stand as symbol of the Star of Bethlehem.

o Roses

A bouquet of roses as a Christmas flower gift can also be a good break from chocolate. Also known as Winter Rose or Snow Rose, this flower is traditionally known as the genuine Christmas flower. Roses are classic blooms that can usually be given to your loved ones at any occasion and any month of the year. Moreover, since many of us believe that every hue of this flower has a meaning, then you can hand out to your friends and dear ones a bunch or roses with a certain shade for each person.

o Tulips

These flowers are also great for the Christmas season. Like roses, tulips are available in almost all types of hues. Hence, you can combine the well-known holiday colors in order to come up with an attractive assemblage of tulips that make a good Christmas gift. But since they come from Europe, you may find it difficult to get such type of flowers from the local flower shops. So if you really prefer this kind of flower, you better spend a little time and effort in looking for florists that offer such.

Other popular Christmas flowers are holly with red berries and green leaves, Christmas cactus that have red or pink flowers and green leaves, Christmas garland, Christmas tree and the Mistletoe which symbolizes love, goodwill and peace. The orchids, which signify charm and reflection, can also be made into a good Christmas bouquet.

Christmas is the right time to search for an ideal gift from the wide range of presents available out there. Among the thoughtful gifts that can be appreciated are flowers. Flowers are really amazing due to their grace, beauty, charm and big impact they bring in a person's heart. Since most women love to be given flowers, then a splendid bouquet of Christmas flowers can be a very nice break from chocolate this holiday season.

For more information on flowers and their special meanings please visit: [http://flowersforsomeonespecial.com/] and http://www.drnathaliefiset.com

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