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Caring for your Cut Flower Bouquet

We have ensured that your flowers reach you in the peak of freshness. The correct conditioning procedure upon receiving your flowers, to ensure as long a life as possible for your flowers, is detailed below.

Remove the flowers from their packaging and cut the stems at 45 degrees with a sharp knife to enable the greatest surface area for water consumption. DO NOT use scissors and DO NOT crush the stems in any manner as this will inhibit the life of the flowers.

Leave the flowers in deep water (up to the heads if possible) in a conditioning vase or clean bucket for two hours. The flowers will be ready to arrange after this conditioning time.

When you wish to arrange the flowers, first ensure that the vase you use is really clean. Fill the vase with good, clean, fresh water and add the sachet of flower food provided. Simply arrange the flowers how you desire.

The flowers will last longest away from heat and draughts. It is also prudent to keep water away from electrical appliances.

With roses, remove all leaves from the stem up to the last set below the head. You can dethorn the roses and it is advisable to do so, to at least above the tie or cross over point of your display. In many cases most of this will be done for you if the flowers are supplied by UK Gifting Direct.

Remove any leaves that may be submerged in the water from all flower stems on all varieties of flower. These leaves breakdown when left and decay, thus reducing the life and crispness of the flowers.

Always use fresh cold water.

Make sure the vase has been bleached clean on the inside. This kills any bacteria and algal form in the vase. If the vase is simply left to dry and then used, the bacteria lives on and multiplies, reducing the life of your flowers.

Never put cut flowers and arrangements into full sunlight or on a window sill. This will simply burn them.

Never place flowers in a draught, over a radiator, on top of a TV or in front of a fire as this will dry the flowers out prematurely.

Flowers, like you and me, need protection to show themselves off to their best.

Gentle light, gentle temperatures, gentle care and good clean nourishment.

By following the above procedure and using the cut flower food supplied, your flowers will live longer, giving satisfaction for the recipient and the sender.