Holland Flower 126

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Asclepias Slant cut the stems, remove the lower leaves and seal the ends of the stems by holding them in hot water for a few seconds. Stand in fresh water containing cut flower food. Never leave without water. Top up the vase regularly with a solution of fresh water and cut flower food. Sensitive to ethylene.

Rosa Buy when the bud is fully grown and ‘loose’. Remove the lower leaves. Use clean vases and fresh water containing cut flower food. Avoid smoke, fruit and exhaust fumes (sources of ethylene). Give the customer an adequate supply of cut flower food.

Celosia Remove as many leaves as possible to help stop the flower from drying out. Cut a piece off the stem and stand in fresh water containing cut flower food. Do not return to the cold cell as this could encourage fungal growth. Store in a cool place.

Strelitzia Slant cut the stems and stand in fresh water. Stand the flowers in a sturdy vase to ensure they cannot fall over. Don’t allow the temperature to fall below 12°C as black discolouration will occur at lower temperatures.

Eremurus Store in water containing cut flower food to encourage flowering. Cut a piece off the stem to promote good water absorption. The flowers are long and heavy, so make sure you use a sturdy vase. Clean the vase well before use.

Aechmea Give a light spot out of direct sunlight. If possible use softened, luke-warm water, also pouring it into the funnel. Keep the rootball moderately moist but not too wet. The plant needs no plant food. It will flower for several months and die off when flowering is over.

Gerbera Slant cut the stems and leave for at least four hours in fresh water containing cut flower food. Use once the stems have firmed up. Keep the water level low as the hairy stems allow water to creep up and this promotes botrytis attack. Avoid touching the flower; if one petal is pulled out, the entire flower will fall apart.

Aloë Stand in a light spot at room temperature. This plant can tolerate direct sunlight. Keep the rootball moderately moist. Feeding several times a year is adequate. Keep cooler and drier in winter. Dry leaves should be removed completely.

Hydrangea A clean vase and fresh water are essential. Cut a piece off the stem and remove as many leaves as possible. Cut shrub food will extend the vase life considerably - up to a maximum of two weeks. Avoid draughts as this will cause the flowers to droop.

Gerbera Keep pot Gerberas out of direct sunlight. Keep the soil moderately moist; too much water will cause the plant to rot. Deadhead regularly to extend flowering. Feed once every two to three weeks.

Lathyrus Use a clean vase and fresh water containing cut flower food. Keep the water level low as the hairy stems allow water to creep up and this promotes botrytis attack. Avoid draughts and direct sunlight to achieve maximum vase life. Handle with care.

Phalaenopsis Can flower for months. Give the plant a little softened, luke-warm water once a week. Alternatively immerse the root ball in water occasionally. Drain excess water off. Sensitive to temperature fluctuations, cold and draughts. Feed twice a week during the growing period and once every four weeks in winter, using special plant food for orchids. Avoid getting water on the flowers.

Paeonia Only buy flowers with loose buds. If buds fail to open, hold them upside down under the tap to remove the sticky layer that has accumulated; do not immerse in water. Never leave without water. Stand in fresh water containing cut flower food. Replace the water twice a week, cutting another piece off the stems each time.

Tillandsia The grey leafed Tillandsia needs high levels of humidity. Keep the plant away from radiators and spray regularly with water. Water green leaved Tillandsias moderately, pouring water into the funnel and onto the soil. No plant food necessary.

Physalis Slant cut the stems and stand in fresh water containing cut shrub food. Handle with care. The flower is also suitable for drying; in this case all the leaves should first be removed.

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