This time of year there are lots of floral gifts given and received as gifts. To keep the flowers lasting longer, and looking good for as long as possible follow these tips.

 

~ Fresh flower bouquets and fresh arrangements should be checked and watered daily. To keep flowers lasting longer keep them away from heat sources such as fireplaces, and heat vents. If possible, place flowers in a cooler area of the home. Even by moving them in a cooler area at night and putting them back during the day will prolong the bloom time. When there is a dead flower, remove it right away, as not only is it unsightly but it can also start to decay which can harm the other flowers. If you have a fresh arrangement using greens the dead flowers can be taken out and replaced with new flowers or pine cones, festive balls, etc.

 

~ Poinsettias are the most popular flowering plant around the Christmas season. Place poinsettias in an area of the home where there is no drafts from heat sources or cold weather, such as a door that opens to the outside or a window ledge during cold weather. Poinsettias do not like cold temperatures or be allowed to go too dry as this will cause them to drop their leaves. Keep poinsettia plants evenly moist but not soggy. Touch the soil with your finger and if the top feels dry give the plant a thorough water (using room temperature water) and discard any excess water after a few minutes.

 

~ Christmas Cactus is another favourite plant around Christmas. Christmas cactus is a forest cactus not a desert cactus and needs to be watered more frequently. When in bloom it should be kept moist until it has finished blooming and then cut back on the water. Place a Christmas cactus in a cooler of the area of the home where temperatures are around 15 Celsius. They like to have lots of bright, indirect light. Once you have found the right spot, do not move it. Christmas cactus does not respond well to sudden changes and will drop their flowers.

 

~ Orchid plants make beautiful gifts. If cared for properly they will bloom for months. Orchids need a high humidity. We suggest placing them in a kitchen or bathroom that has a shower or bath as these rooms have the highest humidity in the home if you do not have a humidifier. If this is not possible then a water filled pebble tray also works well. Orchids need to be placed in an area of the home that receives lots of bright indirect light such as an east or north window or a shaded south or west window. There is not a lot of care involved when looking after orchids. They need very little water. There are more orchids killed by over watering than under watering. Water them once every 7-10 days, and then give them a good thorough watering.

 

~ Indoor Azaleas are available throughout the year, and come in a range of colours. Keep azaleas evenly moist. Azaleas enjoy an acidic soil and so are planted in a soil that has a lot of peat moss in it which raises the acidity but also dries out more quickly. Check the soil on azaleas daily to see if it is moist enough because if an azalea becomes too dry the unopened flower buds will drop off. Place them in a brightly lit area of the home in cooler temperatures away from drafts, and heating vents.

 

~ This time of year indoor flowering containers are popular gifts. These containers consist of a group of flowering plants and tropicals placed in a decorative container. Because different plants have different moisture requirements, it is better to leave the plants in the pots when placing them in the decorative container and then a layer of moss is placed along the edges to give it a unified look. Keeping the plants in their pots is better for the plants so that each plant can be watered when it is needed. It also makes it easier to replace a plant that has finished blooming with a new plant. You are able to change the seasonal look of the container throughout the year.