What Your Florist Doesn’t Tell You

Valentine’s Day is only a few days away. If you are one of the over 50 million people who plan to buy flowers (80% will buy roses), for your sweetheart on February 14th, here are some tips that your florist might not tell you.

 Make Your Flowers Last: Cut the stems at an angle, change the water at least every-other-day, and add the preservative that the florist includes with the flowers.

• See Red, Be Green: After Valentine’s Day is over and the flowers are gone, you may only be left with a vase. Most florists will recycle your vase if you return it.
• Fruit and Flowers Don’t Mix: If you plan on giving fruit with your bouquet of flowers do not keep the two too close. The fruit will emit ethylene gas that will kill the flowers.
• Sunshine is not a Flower’s Friend: Keep your roses away from windows. The heat from direct sunlight will kill them.
• Making your own Arrangement: Get creative! If you are going to buy the flowers and arrange them yourself, make certain you wash the vase with soap. Bacteria clinging to the sides of the vase will contaminate new water.