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ALSTROEMERIAThe buds of your Alstroemeria may appear, when new, to be very tight; with proper
nutrition from flower food they should open to full bloom and maximum enjoyment. Alstroemeria are particularly thirsty flowers,
so check the vase often to ensure it is full (or the foam material is saturated) and add floral food with each water change.
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AMARYLLISAmaryllis may arrive with some of their blooms closed, but with proper care, they will
open into large flowers. Their stems need to stay filled with water at all times, so when you refresh the water and re-cut
the stems, turn them upside down and fill them with water, plugging the bottom of each stem with a cotton ball or your finger
until it is back in the vase. Their stems can be brittle and may bend or break when you refresh them. Keeping them trimmed
daily and even wrapping the stem ends in clear tape will help prevent this. As new blooms open, carefully pinch off older,
wilting blooms. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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ANEMONE The same general care guidelines described above apply to anemone, but
because their stems are very soft and easily damaged, handle them gently and support their stems when re-cutting. The delicate
nature of the blossoms means you'll enjoy them for 3-5 days. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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BELLS OF IRELAND These tiny, fragrant, green bells are arranged in rings forming a vertical column. Each
bell has a tiny white blossom in the center. Follow the care guidelines listed above, and your bells of Ireland should last
7-10 days. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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BIRDS OF PARADISE Each stem of a bird of paradise usually contains about 4 to 5 flowers (called inflorescence) sometimes
only one flower is visible, where others are hidden in another part of the flower. When one exposed flower withers it should
be removed and another one can be pulled out of the flower's boat shaped bract. If a flower doesn't emerge, gently ease it
out by hand. These exotic blooms are sensitive to temperatures below 50 degrees F, so display them in a warm spot. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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CALLAS The same general care guidelines described above apply to callas but because their spathe (the colored
part of the flower) can bruise easily, it's important to be particularly gentle when handling them. Callas have thick fleshy
stems that tend to curl at the bottom as they age. They should be recut every 2 days for maximum vase life. They tend to be
thirsty flowers, so check the water level of your vase often. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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CARNATIONS The same general care guidelines described above apply to carnations, including their sensitivity
to ethylene, a harmless (note: it does not harm humans or animals), naturally produced gas, which can be released by fruits,
vegetables, and decaying floral materials. Keep arranged carnations free of ethylene producing materials for best results.
When you re-cut the stems, cut them just above one of the nodes that run up the flower's stalk. This will allow the stem to
more easily draw the water it needs. When properly cared for carnations can last 7-14 days, depending on variety. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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CHRYSANTHEMUMS Chrysanthemums come in a wide variety of colors, shapes and petal formations. Some even look like
the most exotic blossoms you've ever seen - in unusual colors with single or multiple blossoms per stem. It's important to
remove the foliage of chrysanthemums if it begins to droop or yellow. The foliage often deteriorates more quickly than the
flowers themselves. Recutting the stems often will also increase the uptake of water and increase vase life. Most chrysanthemums
will last 7 to 12 days on average. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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DAFFODILS Daffodils last longer in shallow water, so when you re-cut their stems and change their
water (adding additional floral food) every two or three days, fill the vase only partway. You can leave the protective husks
on or gently remove them. When daffodil stems are cut, they release sap that can shorten the life of other flowers. To prevent
this, after cutting their stems, place them in a bucket of water for at least 12 hours on their own before mixing them with
other flowers. Some modern designs use daffodils with the bulb and roots still in tact on the stems. The soil is washed from
the root system - and you can enjoy the full botany of the flower from roots to stem, leaves and blossoms. Back to Top.
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Daisies The same general care guidelines described above apply to daisies, but keep in mind that these are
particularly thirsty flowers, so check their water level often, and be sure that the vase is full and any foam materials are
completely saturated. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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Dendrobium Orchids The same general care guidelines described above apply to dendrobium orchids, including their
sensitivity to ethylene gas, which can be released by fruits, vegetables, and decaying floral materials. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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FREESIA The same general care guidelines described above apply to freesia, but note that they prefer
room-temperature water. Blossoms appear on a comb - in order from largest to smallest on the horizontal comb. As blossoms
pass their prime, they should be plucked or removed from the stem to keep the flower looking attractive. Back to Top.
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GERBERA Gerbera stems are highly susceptible to bacteria blockage, causing their heads to droop over,
so change their water often. Since they are particularly sensitive to ethylene gas and bacteria - keep the vase and surrounding
areas clean and debris free. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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HYACINTH The same general care guidelines described above apply to hyacinths, but keep in mind that
when their stems are cut, they release sap that can shorten the life of other flowers. To prevent this, after cutting their
stems, place them in a bucket of water for at least 12 hours on their own before mixing them with other flowers. In modern
designs, hyacinths are arranged with the bulbs and roots in tact, as part of the composition. The soil is washed from the
roots to prevent the water from becoming dirty. Back to Top.
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HYDRANGEAS Hydrangeas have woody stems that need to draw water for maximum vase life. If a blossom wilts prematurely,
remove it from the design, recut the stem at a sharp angle and place in warm water for at least one hour. The flower should
be revived and ready to take its place in the design. For best results keep the water level in their vase full. Hydrangeas
can also be dried, by hanging them upside down in a warm spot. Although the color will fade slightly - the dried flowers can
last between 9 months to a year. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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IRIS Iris may arrive in your vase arrangement as tight buds. But they will open quickly and mature to
open form usually within one or two days. Their beautiful blue blossom look good with other spring flowers like tulips and
lilies. Their vase life is wonderful, although short lived. Keep water levels in the vase full and bacteria free for best
results. Expected vase life is 3-5 days. Back to Top.
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LILY Lily pollen can stain clothing and furniture, so carefully remove the anthers (the orange pollen-coated
tips at the end of the stamens) with tissues before displaying your bouquet. As flowers open as your design ages, you should
continue to remove the anthers. Follow the same general care guidelines described above, but since lilies bruise easily, handle
them with particular care. Their blooms open in succession, and you can snip off spent flowers close to the main stem. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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LISIANTHUS Lisianthus have rose-like showy blossoms in grand colors, and with proper care they can last 7-10
days. Many of the unopened buds which show color may open fully. Smaller buds may not open but simply support the larger blossoms
and accent the foliage. Back to Top. Buy it Here.
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PEONIES Follow the general care guidelines described above, placing your peonies in a cool place out of
direct sunlight. Peonies often arrive in bud stage and open fully while in the design. The open blossoms can be fragile and
shatter if mishandled so give them space and move them only as necessary. With proper care they should last about 7 days.
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ROSES Follow the general care guidelines described above for your roses, being sure to remove any discolored
petals on the flower's outer edge (called guard petals) and foliage that fall below the waterline when refreshing your arrangement.
Recutting the stems often will give your roses the longest vase life.
If your roses begin to wilt, you may be
able to revive them. Trim off about an inch from the bottom of its stem and then submerge the entire rose under water in a
sink or bathtub. Allow the stem to absorb water for about 20-60 minutes before returning them to their vase.
Roses
last longer in a cool area, but if you want their blooms to open quickly, temporarily place them in a warmer spot (Note: not
hotter than 80 degrees Fahrenheit). Back to Top. Meanings of Roses Buy it Here.
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