| A bouquet of fresh, cut flowers makes a beautiful | | | | flowers. If there is a sachet of flower food with |
| gift for a friend or relative, and is also the perfect | | | | your flowers, empty this into the water, before |
| thing to buy in order to treat yourself. If you buy | | | | placing your flowers in the vase and arranging |
| cut flowers, you will want to make sure that they | | | | them. |
| last as long as possible, so we've put together | | | | Find the perfect place to put your flowers |
| some hints and tips to help you to do this: | | | | Place your flowers somewhere light, but not in |
| Cool and cut your flowers | | | | direct sunlight as this may cause them to wilt. It's |
| If you aren't able to arrange your flowers | | | | also important to make sure that they are placed |
| immediately when they arrive, make sure that | | | | in a room which is the correct temperature for |
| you keep them in a cool place until you can. The | | | | them (about 18 -22°C). Don't put them next |
| first step is to remove the flowers from their | | | | to a direct heat source, such as a radiator, or |
| packaging. Some experts recommend that you | | | | near to any other appliances that give off heat, |
| then place the flowers into cold water for a while | | | | such as televisions or computers. You should also |
| before cutting and arranging them. | | | | make sure that you don't place them directly in a |
| You should then use a sharp knife or a pair of | | | | draft, or near a fan or air conditioning unit. |
| scissors to cut about two to three centimetres, | | | | If you are placing your vase of flowers on a table |
| at an angle of about 45 degrees, from the | | | | or work-top, make sure that you don't put it |
| bottom of the stem of each flower. If your | | | | next to ripening fruit. As fruit ripens, it emits a |
| flowers are tied in a bouquet, you can leave them | | | | gas called ethylene, which ages flowers more |
| tied up whilst you do this, so that it's quick to do | | | | quickly. You should also try to place your flowers |
| and the arrangement retains its shape. Some | | | | somewhere away from cigarette smoke, as this |
| experts recommend keeping the stems | | | | also contains ethylene. |
| underwater whilst cutting the ends off of them, | | | | Look after your flowers. |
| as they believe that this prevents air from | | | | In order to keep your flowers looking beautiful for |
| entering the stems, meaning that the flowers can | | | | as long as possible, make sure that you change |
| take in water more effectively when you arrange | | | | the water every other day, and remove any |
| them in the vase. | | | | dead flowers and any leaves from the water |
| Choose your vase and arrange your flowers | | | | when you see them. Your flowers will also last |
| Make sure that the vase that you are planning to | | | | longer if you recut the stems every three or four |
| put your flowers in is clean, as the presence of | | | | days, and you can freshen them up by spraying |
| bacteria may have a negative effect on your | | | | them gently with water. |
| flowers, meaning that they won't last as long. Fill | | | | If you follow these simple guidelines, your cut |
| the vase with fresh, room temperature water | | | | flowers should last longer. You can buy cut |
| until it is about three-quarters full and remove any | | | | flowers from florists and markets, or order them |
| leaves which are likely to be below the waterline. | | | | online and have them delivered directly to your |
| This is important because leaves in the water will | | | | door or to a friend or family member's home. |
| die and produce bacteria which will affect the | | | | |