Cutting

1. Cut stems on an angle using flower cutters or a sharp knife. Do not use scissors. Cut stems under water that is fresh, clean and warm (100 to 110° F).
2. Remove all foliage that will be below the water line.
3. Transfer cut flowers to a vase or container filled with water at the appropriate temperature.
4. If you are using special cut flower preservatives, follow package instructions. Add water to the container as needed and replenish solution every 1-2 days. If you're not using preservatives, change the water, scrub the container clean and re-cut flower stems daily.
5. Place arranged flowers in a cool location, especially at night. Keep away from heat sources, drafts and air conditioners.

Flowering Plants

• light: Flowering plants need all the sunshine that can be provided in your home, particularly in winter. Place them near an east or south window.
• Temperature: Most flowering plants grow best at night temperatures of 50 to 60° F and day temperatures of 65 to 70° F. Do not place them over radiators. Keep them out of drafts.
• Humidity: Keep room humidity as high as possible. Increase humidity around the plant by placing it in a plant box or jardiniere filled with moist peat moss.
• Watering: Inspect soil daily and add water when the soil feels dry to the touch. When watering, wet the soil all the way down.
• Fertilizing: If you keep flowering plants longer than six to eight weeks, some plant food should be added. Follow directions on the fertilizer package.

Foliage Plants

• light: Place foliage plants in or near a window where they receive good light during part of the day. Most plants do not like the intensely bright sunshine of midsummer. They thrive near a south or east window during the fall, winter and spring months. If you cannot place them near a window, use artificial grow lights over them.
• Temperature: Most foliage plants thrive best at night temperatures of 60 to 65° F and day temperatures of 70 to 80° F.
• Watering: Keep the soil moist. Examine it once a week. When the soil feels dry to the touch, add enough water to wet the soil all the way to the bottom of the pot. Be sure that any excess water is drained off.
• Fertilizing: Since the amount of soil and nutrients available in a small pot is limited, small quantities of plant food are desirable at three to four week intervals, used according to the directions on the package.

Fresh-Cut Flowers

• If the flowers are arranged in floral foam, all you have to do is add room temperature water daily. It is necessary to use floral preservative in water even when designing in floral foam.

• If flowers are arranged in a vase, re-cut flowers and change water daily, if not using a floral preservative. If you are using cut flower preservatives, follow package instructions. Add water to the container as needed and replenish solution every 1-2 days.

• Keep flowers in a cool spot (65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit), away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or on top of televisions or radiators. (Appliances like televisions give off heat, which causes flowers to dehydrate.) Most flowers will last longer under cool conditions.

Body Flowers

• Body flowers (corsages) can be worn many places including the collar, wrist, shoulder, in the hair or on a purse. But remember; always wear them the way the flowers grow: Blossoms up, stem down.
• Guard your flowers carefully in very cold weather by carrying your body flowers in the box. Put them on after you arrive for the festivities. And remember, too much handling bruises delicate petals and stems.
• To keep your body flowers fresh and bright, refrigerate in the florist's box. Keep flowers in the front part of the refrigerator or in the vegetable bin section, but away from apples.

For loose bunches or boxed flowers:

• Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them in a flower food solution. Don't forget how important it is to follow the mixing directions on the flower food packet.

• Fill a clean (washed with a detergent or antibacterial cleaning solution), deep vase with water and add a flower food from your florist.

• Remove leaves that will be below the waterline. Leaves in water will promote bacterial microbial growth that may limit water uptake by the flower.

• Re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife. Place the flowers in the vase solution you've prepared.

• If you purchase loose flowers for your own arrangements you should also consider these tips:

1. When selecting flowers, look for flowers with upright, firm petals and buds beginning to open. Yellow, spotted or drooping leaves are signs of age.
2. When using woody stems and branches (such as quince, forsythia or lilac), cut the stem with sharp pruning shears. Place them in warm water containing fresh flower food to promote flower opening.

Plant Care Tips: Green Thumb Not Required