Holland Flower 127

Warm Feelings


Amaranthus Use a clean vase and fresh cold water containing cut flower food. Cut a piece off each stem before use. Remove as many leaves as possible. Advise customers to leave the stems in water for several hours so that they can have a good drink.

Strelitzia Slant cut the stems and stand in fresh water. Stand the flowers in a sturdy vase so that they cannot fall over. Do not store in the cold store. Black discolouration will occur at temperatures below 12°C.

Brassica The leaves of ornamental cabbage are removed up to about 20 cm below the head so there is no need to remove further leaves. The thick stem may well have become dehydrated and a thick piece should be removed with a slanting cut. Brassica must be kept out of sunlight but is fairly resistant to cold.

Symphoricarpus Cut a piece off the stem and stand in fresh water. Cut flower food is not necessary. Replace the water regularly, cutting off a piece of the stem each time.

Celosia Remove as many leaves as possible to protect the flower from dehydration. Cut a piece off the stem and stand in a clean vase containing fresh water and cut flower food. Never return Celosia to the cold store as this could encourage the development of fungus. Store in a cool place.

Capsicum Give the plants a sunny spot at room temperature so that the fruit will colour nicely. Do not allow the soil in the pot to dry out as this will cause the fruit to age prematurely. If preferred immerse the rootball in water once a week. Feed once every three weeks and spray the plant with water once a week or stand it on a saucer filled with moist hydroponic granules.

Chrysanthemum Leave the flower to have a good drink of cold water. This helps prevent the leaves from drooping as air bubbles in the stem dissolve in cold water. Clean the vase thoroughly before use. Do not break or flatten the stems, instead slant cut them with a sharp knife.

Cycas Keep the rootball fairly dry. In winter a temperature of 12°C is adequate. When Cycas starts to produce new leaves, move it to a warmer spot, from which it should not be moved again. Can go outdoors in summer. Susceptible to attack by scale insects.

Crocosmia Use only clean vases, fresh water and flower food for bulbs. Before use cut a piece off the stem and ensure no leaves can hang in the water. Never leave without water. Avoid crowding too many bunches in the same bucket to prevent tangling. Remove carefully!

Dendrobium Stand in a well lit spot out of direct sunlight. Water sparingly once a week or immerse the rootball in (softened) water. Feed with orchid plant food once a month. Spray the leaves with water. The plant produces one or two new shoots each year, which will flower when they are fully grown.

Dahlia The flowers are sold at a relatively mature stage to ensure full opening. Cut a piece off the stems and remove the lower leaves. Use fresh water containing cut flower food. Avoid draughts and temperature fluctuations. Handle with care.

Oncidium Keep out of direct sunlight. Immerse the rootball in water occasionally and drain well. Feed with orchid plant food once a month during the growing season. Spray once a week, keeping the flowers dry. When flowering is over, stop feeding the plant, water it less and move it to a cooler spot (15°C) for two months.

Hydrangea A clean vase and fresh water are very important. Cut a piece off the stems and remove as many leaves as possible. Cut shrub food will extend the vase life considerably, up to a maximum of two weeks. Keep the flowers out of draughts to stop them from wilting.

Senecio This is a succulent and needs very little water. Only water when the rootball has dried out completely. Feed once a month. Likes a sunny spot.

Nerine Resistant to dry transport but only at temperatures between 8 and 10°C. At temperatures below 2°C the flowers can become dehydrated and the stems can turn blue. Maturity is important: at least one bud must be almost open. Cut a piece off the stems and stand in fresh water containing flower food for bulbs.

< back

International