FLOWER CARE

"I think that psychologically flowers lift your spirits. They make you feel better, make you feel special," said David Filter, owner of English Garden Florist.

This is especially true in our desert environment, where flowers add color, a sense of life and a touch of nature.

They also add beauty, as well as a sense of warmth and comfort, said Debra Newson, owner of Las Vegas Floral and Plant Wholesale.

But for us nonflorists, the idea of putting fresh flowers in the home can be a challenging proposition. Knowing what types of flowers to get, how to display them, what type of vase to use and how to care for them are common concerns. Floral experts, however, have a few bits of expert advise — and are willing to answer any questions; all you have to do is ask, they say.

Although some flowers are obviously hardier than others, Filter said the type of flowers displayed in a home is a matter of personal preference.

"Personally, I like bright colors. In a cream room, you need a sudden burst of yellow or red."

While bold, brightly colored flowers could intimidate novice flower buyers who worry about how they’ll fit in with their home’s décor, Filter said lighter-colored flowers, such as creams and whites, are always a safe choice.

When making your selections, he said one thing to consider is that typically the more fragrant a flower is the shorter its life will be.

Saundra Parks, CEO and creative director of New-York based The Daily Blossom, said to look for buds that appear to be closed tightly, with maybe a few of them beginning to open.

"For roses, squeeze the flower to make sure the petals are firm. Very soft petals indicate aged flowers," she said, adding that leaves also are a good indicator of a flower’s health. "Leaves should be crisp and green, not yellow, brown or brittle."

Filter said you should never be afraid to ask a florist when the flowers came in. Purchase the freshest flowers possible.

"When purchasing flowers, always ask for a package of preservatives to put in the water," he added.

Once you bring the flowers home, the experts agree that the best way to care for fresh flowers is to make sure they always have clean water.

Filter said there are no special tricks to making sure the vase or water are clean and fresh. If they look clean, they probably are, he said.

Newson suggests that stems should be cut at least every other day so that the flowers can drink in the water.

Filter and Parks added that the flowers should be cut with a knife rather than scissors, which can crush a flower’s vascular system and prevent it from drinking water.

"Then, if you want to take it one step further, either a small amount of sugar of 7-up can be added (to the water) to give further length of life to your flowers," Newson said.

Parks also suggests giving roses a bath to help extend their lives.

"Typically, roses will last about seven days. When you start to notice them drooping around the fifth or sixth day, giving them a simple bath will extend their life," she said.

To bathe roses, Parks said stems should be trimmed slightly at an angle and then placed in a bathtub filled with warm water. Then, while they are soaking, the vase should be cleaned with bleach and then refilled with fresh, conditioned water. Before placing the roses in the vase, the stems should be trimmed again.

When selecting a vase, Newson said it is crucial to consider the quantity of flowers that will be placed inside and the flowers’ stem length.

"You want to make sure the vase is heavy enough to support the product without tipping over. Your tall flowers should have a vase the height of at least a third of your stem length, with again enough weight to support them," she said.

Newson also recommends making sure the opening of the vase is not too big. Otherwise the flowers will flop around and won’t look good.

Finally, when displaying the flowers, make sure they are placed out of sunlight and away from any sources of heat.