Where have all the flowers gone?

Using the Pressing Method
Press only flowers that are free of damage caused by in­sects or disease. Also, choose a plant suitable for pressing and select a bud, an open flower and a leaf or piece of foliage. This allows you to preserve the different stages of the plant, from bud to final flower head. Spread the leaves or flowers onto an absorbent piece of paper. Special blotting paper bought from a florist Abbotsford can be used, but paper towels will do the job. (Use paper towels that don't have ridges, as these will mark your finished flowers.) Make sure the plant material does not overlap and touch. This will prevent the bleeding of color and uneven pressure. Insert the absorbent paper with the plant material between the pages of a book. The thickness of the paper will determine how many pages should go between each set of flowers. If the paper is thin, use three sheets between each set to avoid bleeding of color. Write the name of the pressed material and the date on each page. This is an important step because it is often difficult to identify the plant once it has dried. Place a brick on top to provide adequate pressure. Most flowers will take four to six weeks to dry, depending on such factors as thickness of the flower petals. Keep a close watch and transfer flowers onto fresh, dry blotting paper if necessary.

The colour of summer
The colours available in summer flowers are as profuse as the varieties. Sweet peas come in a range of blues, whites, purples, red and pinks, from the softest shell pink to deepest crimson. The fiery oranges and rich yellows of the marigolds contrast with the soft cool green of lady’s mantle, and on the hottest of summer days there are plenty of flowers to choose for a refreshing design in blues and white.
The shapes and textures of cut materials (flowers and foliage) are also diverse, including tiny lavender spikes, the large spears of the red hot poker, rounded hydrangea heads, and lilies, with their pointed petals. At this time of year, there is a selection for every type of design, and numerous possible containers from which to choose, always bearing in mind that the latter need to be sufficiently large to hold a good-sized reservoir of water for thirsty summer flowers. All good florists Christchurch should be able to provide you with an abundant array of colourful summer blooms to brighten any occasion.

A florist’s toolbox
Today, the creative possibilities are endless, and the professional florist needs to master the basic techniques and skills first before moving on to more advanced and free style designs. Colourful, unusual, delicate and exotic are just some of the words used to describe the fantastic range of flowers and foliage types now available for florists to use. Appropriate handling of these materials takes skill and knowledge. A florist with the ability to give his or her customers aftercare advice and special tips will attract more customers who appreciate their expertise when ordering flowers Greenbrae.

Wild Flowers
Perhaps the best way of describing a wild flower is to say it is a flower which propagates itself in those places where it can survive and thrive. I suppose every flower is a native of some part of the world — orchids in Malaysia, for example, and acrolinium in Australia. I remember seeing sheets of the pink and white daisy-like flowers lining the roads north of Perth in Western Australia. It is extremely popular with arrangers and Chislehurst florists who specialise in dried flowers as it dries particularly well. I believe that brides in Jamaica love having Queen Anne’s lace in their wedding bouquets, whereas here where it grows in such abundance we would scarcely think of using it. Possibly because it would not last long before wilting.

Bacteria woes
As well as from air pockets, stems can become blocked by bacteria. The growth of these micro-organisms in the water and inside the stems can cause serious problems to sensitive flowers such as gerberas and roses. A clean wound surface is essential, as the damaged cells rot faster, and the end result is decay and the spread of bacteria that will pollute the water.
Unpleasant smells can develop as the cells in the foliage below the waterline collapse. As the bacteria continues to grow, the stem ends (particularly if damaged) become slimy and disagreeable to handle. This in turn leads to premature wilting of flowers St Annes and foliage.

Hybrid Perpetual Roses
Hybrid perpetuals are seldom seen in a Bedworth flower shop today. Like the heavy furniture, beaded curtains and Tiffany lamps of the Victorian era, they are still around but their peak has passed. And what a peak it was; by the end of the 19th Century, some 3,000 varieties had been developed. The few that have proved timeless are valued for their hardiness, disease resistance and fragrance. They can be grown without winter protection in mild climate zones.
Hybrid perpetuals are the first of the modern roses, concocted about 1840 from the damask, China and Bourbon dynasties. The second part of the name is misleading; when they were introduced, they did indeed blossom more steadily than any other class then available. But most varieties bloom profusely in June, then produce a more modest flowering in the fall, with occasionally, in some cases, a sprinkling of blossoms during the months in between.

Quick Tips to keep your cut flowers longer

• Use plain, lukewarm water for most cut flowers, but use cold water for bulb flowers, such as daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips.
• Change the water every 2 days — don’t just top it off. This is the single most effective thing you can do to keep your flowers looking fresh.
• Keep flowers out of direct sunlight, and move them to a cool place at night.
• Give daffodils their own vase — daffodil stems give off a compound that is toxic to other flowers.
• Keep cut flowers away from fruit, which releases a gas that causes flowers to age faster.

Purchase your fresh flowers online through a reputable florist, or take some extra time and source your lovely blooms with someone who specialises in delivering fresh flowers Fairwater. There are many, many places available these days were you can purchase those blooms online and get them delivered the same day.

The Roses of an Ancient World
The rose was an ancient flower long before the first men appeared on earth. Fossil specimens indicate that the flowers bloomed in what is now the American West mil­lions of years before the oldest known picture of a rose was painted on a Cretan wall during the Bronze Age 36 centuries ago.
In ancient Greek literature, the rose ac­quired a powerful mystique. Homer wrote in the Iliad that roses decorated the shield of Achilles and the helmet of Hector when they fought their mortal duel during the Trojan War. King Midas of Phrygia, legendary possessor of the golden touch, is said to have grown magnificent 60-petaled specimens in his gardens and would send flowers Netherley to many of his followers. It is believed that many islands of the Mediterranean were once covered with wild roses, including several varieties of Rosa gal­lica, the oldest identifiable rose and the basic ancestor of all modern roses. The name of one island, Rhodes, in fact comes from rhodon, the Greek word for "rose." Early in their history, the seafaring Rhodians adopted the rose as their symbol, and stamped it on many of their coins, which were widely circulated and used as currency throughout the length and breadth of the Mediterranean.

One of my favourite flowers - Achillea (yarrow)
Characteristics: Yarrow is a long-blooming and rugged pe­rennial. It will quickly establish handsome colonies in the border. The flowers bloom from June through September. To maintain maximum color, cut flowers that are no more than two days old, because they tend to fade with time. I find that the easiest yarrow to dry is Achillea filipendulina, com­monly called fern-leaf yarrow. It has striking yellow flower heads that appear on sturdy 4-foot-tall stems. The foliage of yarrow has a lovely fragrance and can be dried and added to potpourri. The pungent foliage can also help deter moths when used in storing winter gar­ments.
Harvesting/Drying: Harvest in late summer when the flowers are fully opened and the heads feel firm to the touch. Hang in­dividual stems in a warm, dark, well-ventilated spot or dry them upright. If space is lim­ited you may tie a small bunch together with a rubber band, but the flower shape is better if each flower is hung individu­ally. Be careful not to crush the flower heads. Dried yarrow is a good filler plant and travels well if you plan to send flowers Batesville to another person. It makes a soft, natural, yellow base, which blends well with other dried materials. For a winning combination, combine yarrow with blue salvia. Use in potpourri or as filling for dresser drawer moth bags where its fragrant foliage will help deter moths.

Need more?
This information is brought to you by the Flower Baron. Another great resource for flower and florist information is The Home of Flower Lovers.