Hand Tied Bouquet

• Leave your bouquet in the water bubble. Your flowers have been carefully arranged and supplied in a water bubble to keep them hydrated. There is no need to remove the bubble straight away.
• Top up the water if needed. Check the water level daily and add a little fresh water to the water bubble to keep it topped up.
• Keep your flowers in a cool spot. Display them away from direct sunlight, radiators, fireplaces, heaters, draughts, and air conditioning units.
• Avoid placing them near ripening fruit. Fruit releases ethylene gas, which can cause flowers to fade more quickly.
• Remove any wilted blooms. Gently remove flowers that have come to the end of their life to keep the arrangement looking its best.
• Enjoy your flowers. A hand-tied bouquet kept in its water bubble and cared for in a cool environment will stay fresher for longer.

Arrangement/ Hat Box

A flower arrangement made in Oasis (floral foam) needs a slightly different routine from a hand-tied bouquet because the stems are already inserted into a water reservoir.

• Keep the foam moist. Check the Oasis every day by gently touching the exposed foam or carefully lifting leaves aside. If it feels dry or lighter in colour, add water slowly directly onto the foam until it’s fully saturated. A small jug with a narrow spout works well.
• Water little and often. Rather than pouring in a large amount at once, add enough water daily to keep the foam damp. Avoid flooding the container, as excess water can overflow and damage surfaces.
• Use fresh water. Plain, cool tap water is usually sufficient and use flower food as directed.
• Keep it cool. Place the arrangement away from direct sunlight, radiators, fireplaces, heaters, and draughts. Cooler rooms help flowers last longer.
• Avoid moving stems. Once flowers are inserted into the foam, don’t pull them out and reinsert them. Repositioning can create air pockets and reduce water uptake.
• Remove fading blooms. Gently take out flowers that have wilted to keep the arrangement looking fresh and to prevent decay affecting nearby stems.
• Keep away from ripening fruit. Fruit releases ethylene gas, which can shorten the life of cut flowers.

Bouquet

• Trim the stems: As soon as you get the bouquet home, cut about 1–2 cm (½ inch) off each stem at a 45-degree angle using a sharp knife. This helps the flowers absorb water more efficiently.
• Use a clean vase: Wash the vase thoroughly before filling it. Bacteria in dirty containers can shorten the life of your flowers.
• Add fresh water and flower food: Fill the vase with room-temperature water and mix in the flower food packet provided. Follow the packet instructions rather than using extra, as too much can be harmful.
• Change the water regularly: Replace the water every 2–3 days. When you do, rinse the vase, add fresh water and flower food, and give the stems another small trim.
• Remove leaves below the waterline: Any foliage submerged in water can decay and encourage bacterial growth.
• Keep them cool: Place the bouquet away from direct sunlight, radiators, heating vents, fireplaces, and other heat sources. Avoid draughty spots as well.
• Keep away from ripening fruit: Fruit releases ethylene gas, which can cause flowers to age more quickly.
• Remove fading blooms: Promptly removing wilted flowers can help the rest of the arrangement stay fresh.