Keeping Valentine’s Flowers Fresh

Darin Engh from Engh Gardens tells us how we can prolong the life of our flowers by using a few simple ideas.

If you receive a hand-tied bouquet or wrap:

• Use a sharp knife or shears to trim flower stems. Avoid dull scissors, which won’t produce a clean cut and can bruise stems.

• As quickly as possible, plunge cut stems into warm water. Float flowers for 30 minutes, prior to arranging, to hydrate the stems and leaves.

• Fill a vase with water and add a floral preservative.

• Remove all but the uppermost leaves, as foliage deteriorates quickly in water and produces an odor.

• Re-cut stems diagonally before arranging to create more surface area for the plant to drink.

• Snip off dead and tightly closed buds, which can leach nutrients from healthy blooms.

• Treat your bouquet to a fresh drink of water and re-cut stems every day. To prevent bacteria growth that shortens the life of cut flowers, rinse your vases with soap before refilling.

• Change and recondition vase water as needed.

If you receive a vase arrangement:

• Treat your bouquet to a fresh drink of water with floral preservative and re-cut stems every day. To prevent bacteria growth that shortens the life of cut flowers, rinse your vases with soap before refilling.

• Change and recondition vase water as needed.

• Remove all leaves from the part of the stem that is submerged in water.

• Re-cut stems diagonally to create more surface area for the plant to drink.

If you receive an arrangement that is arranged in Oasis foam:

• Treat your bouquet to a fresh drink of water with floral preservative every day. Keep water level in container full, never to let the Oasis foam dry out.

TIP Keep cut flowers out of drafts and direct sunlight. The cooler the flowers are kept, the longer they will last. And remember to avoid placing arrangements by fresh fruit, which emits ethylene gas as it ripens, causing flowers to wilt.

At-home recipe for Floral Preservative

Add to water: 2 teaspoons sugar and 2 Tablespoons vinegar

Other Valentine Gifts

Jasmine Wreath (Jasminum polyanthum)

Ahhh…the heaven scent of Jasmine. A delight in any room where its fragrance can be appreciated. Jasmine is a climber and does well in mild climate areas. Jasmine’s flower buds are rose pink and opens pure white. Prefers bright light to full sun when in bloom. Keep soil constantly moist, but not soggy. Remember to drain any excess water.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

The beauty of hydrangeas…stately, old-fashioned, traditional, and elegant. In an exciting range of colors, hydrangeas come in shades of pink, blue, lavender, white, deep violet and mauve. After the plant has become spent indoors, it can be planted outdoors in spring, and the mounded blossoms of hydrangeas can serve to enhance the beauty of many a garden. Drench thoroughly when watering. Remove excess water after watering. Indoors, in bloom, any light, but prefers medium light. In the garden, prefers morning sun, afternoon shade. Use acidic fertilizer.

Azalea Topiary (Belgian Indica)

While in bloom, it is very easy to care for azaleas. Simply keep the soil moist at all times. Drench thoroughly when watering. Excessive drying out or excessive sogginess causes leaf drop. Provide medium shade and avoid full sun.

For more information on healthy plants, contact:

Engh Gardens

(801) 277-3908

www.enghgardens.com