Holland Flower 129

Energy Burst


Anemone Stand in water containing special food for bulb flowers. Water should be shallow because of the hairy stems. Store the stems upright to prevent them from curving. Anemone continues to grow in the vase, remember this when using it in mixed bouquets. Store in a cool place to prevent stems from softening.

Tulipa Check for maturity, the main bud must be fully grown and showing colour. Roll drooping tulips in paper and leave in fresh water, in a cool spot for several hours. Tulips continue to grow in the vase, remember this when using them in mixed bouquets. Use food for bulb flowers.

Cestrum When buying check that the uppermost flowers are open. Allow the flowers plenty of space to open out when the wrapper has been removed. Never leave Cestrum without water and use cut flower food.

Viburnum Cut a few centimetres off the stems but do not flatten them. Stand the wrapped twigs in luke warm water containing cut shrub food overnight. If using them in mixed bouquets all-purpose cut flower food can be used. Viburnum drinks a lot of water. Removing foliage increases the vase life.

Freesia Check for maturity, the main bud must be fully grown and showing colour. Never leave without water as the flower is very sensitive to dehydration. Store in fresh water containing cut flower food. Sensitive to ethylene therefore keep away from smoke, fruit and exhaust fumes.

Dracaena Check the pot to plant ratio. If the pot is too small, the plant will have insufficient reserves of moisture and food. It will also overturn easily. Also check the leaves. A healthy Dracaena has upright or slightly pendulous, shiny leaves. Feed once a fortnight.

Fritillaria Fritillaries are easily damaged and should therefore be treated with care. When buying check their maturity and how they are packaged. Some varieties exude a strong fragrance that is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Yucca Yucca can be displayed outdoors without problems. However, it can suffer cold damage at temperatures below 5°C. Do not expose the plant to too much shade as this can cause the leaves to turn yellow. Do not cut off leaves that are turning yellow, these should be left to dry of their own accord. Feed sparingly.

Gerbera Slant cut the stems and stand for at least 4 hours in fresh water with cut flower food. Process when the stems have firmed up. Water should be fairly shallow as it can creep up the hairy stems, providing an opportunity for botrytis to strike. Avoid touching the flower, if a petal is pulled off the entire flower will disintegrate.

Hydrangea Unpack the plant immediately. Stand in a well lit spot out of direct sunlight. Can go outdoors in summer. Drinks lots of water so it is a good idea to immerse the rootball in water occasionally. Remove excess water from the dish or outer pot. Feed once a fortnight.

Muscari The lower florets should be open when you buy this flower. Store the flowers as cool as possible but avoid frost. The flowers have a vase life of around a week. The warmer the temperature, the faster the flowers will open and die.

Jasminum Jasmine is an easy plant and will flower for around two weeks in a warm spot or for four or five weeks in a cool spot. If you want to keep the plant for next year, feed it every four to six weeks and stand in a cool dry spot during winter.

Narcissus Cut the stems and stand in water for a few hours to get rid of slime. Then move to fresh water. Use special food for bulb flowers or for Narcissi. Store the cut flowers upright as otherwise the stems will start to curve.

Viola These fully hardy plants are amazingly resilient and are only susceptible if the rootball is allowed to dry out. Remember to water them regularly. The plant can tolerate full sun but will then need more water. Deadhead regularly.

Rosa Check maturity, the bud must be fully developed and ‘loose’. Remove the lower leaves. Use clean vases and fresh water containing cut flower food. Avoid smoke, fruit and exhaust gases. Make sure you give customers enough cut flower food.

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