Tips & Tricks

Here are some useful tips and tricks I put together to help you out when sending or taking care of flowers and plants. It's sometimes hard to know what type of arrangement to send for a special occasion. Wether it be for a wedding, a funeral, Valentine's day, your boss, your secretary, or the love of your life, these tips should help you make your final decision.

Bouquets
A mixed bouquet is a made up of seasonally available flowers, though we are happy to make the bouquet to your requests.  The bouquet is popular and suitable for people who like to arrange their own flowers, though the bouquet can be put in a vase without disturbing the arrangement if required. The bouquet is colour coordinated, and the arrangement is presented in colourful wraps with a large ribbon bow. A bouquet can be a gift to any age group, male or female, and will be made up to meet the appropriate occasion by our florists.

Basket Arrangements
Basket arrangements are very popular in hospitals, for the sick and elderly, and the newly moved, as they require minimum maintenance and no vase. A basket arrangement may cost a bit more because of the cost of the basket and they come in their own water container. Our florists will make the basket arrangement to match the message and/or instructions received. 

Vox Arrangements
A vox arrangement is best described as flowers wrapped in water and is extremely popular  with florists and customers in New Zealand.  They are wonderful for hospitals, for the sick or elderly and the newly moved as they require minimum maintenance and no vase.  The vox is a flower and water container designed to display flowers while ensuring their long life.

Pot Plants
Potted Plants are extremely popular and are a gift that just keep on giving with their repeat flowering.  The plants available depend on the season but for  newly moved, people in hospital or garden lovers they are a treat.

Roses
Red roses - a single rose, 6 red roses, or 12 red roses, express your love for that someone special in your life - roses come in many colours and have different meanings.  Please visit our rose page to find out more.

Continental Bouquet / Posy / or All Round Bouquet
A continental bouquet is a selection of fresh flowers presented in a round shape that  is already arranged and tied, it can be placed straight into a  vase or rearranged into several.

Funeral Sheaf
A funeral sheaf is cut and tied flowers. Funeral sheaf's are designed for the occasion and our florists will make to your specifications or to suit. The sheaf is encased in cellophane for ease of handling by the funeral directors and transportation to the service.

Gift Baskets / Gift Boxes
Gift Baskets come in a variety of prices to suit your needs.  If you would like something extra special or different delivered with your gift it is always a nice gesture.

Cut Flower Care Tips
Flowers do not last well by accident. They last well because they have been treated professionally from harvest right through to the final consumer.

By buying from growers who treat their flowers correctly and supplying our customers with flower food and care instructions, we are forming a 'chain of life' for our flowers.

In addition, it is the responsibility of a Wholesaler or Retailer to ensure that flowers are purchased at the right stage and in right condition. Each flower must be treated in the way that is best for it.

Tips for Longer Flower Fun:
Fill a clean vase with clean water.
Add the correct amount of Cut Flower Food.
Cut the stems at an angle - never crush or break them.
Remove all leaves that come in contact with the water.
Do not add anything but Cut Flower Food to the water.
Always top up the water, never renew it.
Do not place flowers in direct sunlight or draughts.
Have lots of Fun with your Flowers!


Harvesting
Points to remember when harvesting flowers from the garden: Cut flowers in the morning or early evening when the plant's moisture and nutrient content are highest. Choosing flowers that are almost mature will ensure a longer cut life. Varieties with bloom clusters are best cut when about half the buds have opened. Immerse the stems immediately in a deep container of very warm water. Flowers that grow from bulbs are an exception; they prefer cool water. Stems of flowers such as poppies that exude a milky sap should be dipped in boiling water before immersing in water. Cut stems diagonally to prevent them from resting flat on the bottom of the container.

Conditioning
After harvesting, the flowers should be taken to a cool, dim room to complete what professionals refer to as 'conditioning'. This allows the stems and petals time to recover and to take up as much water as possible before being placed in an arrangement. You should:
Always handle the material as little as possible. Prepare sufficient pails of water to hold the flowers loosely. Hot water should be used for flowers with hard stems such as roses. Add floral preservative as directed on the package. Remove any foliage that will be under water in the arrangement. Recut the stems under water about 3 cm above the original cut. In addition: slit hard stems a further 3 cm. Fill hollow stems with water and plug with cotton. Burn the end of stems that exude milky sap in a flame until blackened. Dip the end of woody stems in boiling water. Leave the pails of flowers to rest for a minimum of 6 hours and a maximum of 1 day.

Flowers from a florist should already be conditioned. However, if time permits, recondition by recutting under water.

Foliage material is improved by immersing completely in water for 3 hours before being placed upright to condition.

During the conditioning period, check for drooping flower heads and foliage, an indication that the stems are not taking up moisture. Remove them from the pail, hold the end of the stem in boiling water for 10 seconds, then return to the pail to continue conditioning.

After flowers have been conditioned, simply cut again one cm from the end of the stem before placing them in your arrangement.

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