CUT STEMS & VASE ARRANGEMENTS

  • Keep flowers out of direct sunlight. Roses and Tulips in particular will "blow open" in bright light and reduce their lifespan. 
  • If purchasing cut stems (not already arranged in water), we recommend getting the flowers into water within 2 to 3 hours tops! Before placing in water, remove any greens that will be submerged in the water. Always give flowers a fresh cut, at a sharp angle, after they have been out of water for some time.
  • If arranging cut stems on your own, be sure to start with a vase that has been cleaned with warm soapy water or a tiny splash of household bleach. Once flowers are arranged in a vase, change the water every other day. Switching out the old water for clean, fresh water is more important than any special ingredient or chemical. When possible, give flower stems a fresh cut when changing the water. It is worth investing in a good pair of floral scissors, a sharp knife or useful clippers. 
  • Special note about cut hydrangeas: they are very thirsty and require the vase to be topped up daily, so be sure to keep an eye on them.
  • Also note, some flowers with fleshy stems will continue to grow even after they have been cut -- these include tulips and anemones. You may wish to cut these as they grow, to maintain the appearance of your arrangement.  

 

SUCCULENTS & CALANDIVA KALANCHOES

  • Succulents and calandiva kalanchoes require very little water. Let the surface of the soil dry between waterings. Every 10-14 days, check the soil moisture level. If it is dry, water enough to moisten, but never soak with water. Plants will require less water in the Winter months than in Summer.
  • They require warm, bright light including some direct sun. Ideal temperature for succulents and kalanchoes is 60 to 75 degrees F. 
  • Kalanchoe blooms will last two to six weeks, but plants can live and rebloom for two to three years with proper care. In order for plants to rebloom, place the plant in complete darkness for several weeks as this will encourage new buds to form.
  • When plants become too large for container they are housed in, they can be repotted -- best to do this in the late Spring/early Summer.

 

AFRICAN VIOLETS

  • With proper care, African Violets can last years. New African Violets can be grown by rooting stem cuttings.
  • Keep soil moist. When watering, take care not to wet leaves. Botrytis (gray mold) is an indication that plant is too wet.
  • Keep in bright, indirect light (a sunny room, away from the direct rays in a windowsill). Too little light can stop flowering, but plants need eight hours of darkness nightly to bloom. 
  • 65 degrees F to 75 degrees F.
  • To thrive, pinch off old flower stems and leaves.

 

ORCHID PLANTS

  • The bloom cycle for orchids, from the opening of the first buds to fading, will typically last two to six months.
  • Keep orchid soil moist, but be sure not to overwater! Yellow and droopy leaves are a sign of overwatering. They only need to be watered every 10 to 14 days, and with a very small amount of water, just a couple of tablespoons. Aim to water at the center of the leaf base. Alternatively, you may place an ice cube in the plant.
  • Orchids prefer bright, indirect light. A sunny room will do, but avoid direct sun rays. The ideal temperature for orchids is 70 to 80 degrees F during the day, and they appreciate cooler temps at night.
  • We do not recommend repotting, unless the potting medium starts to decompose. If repotting, it is best to do so when the plant is not in bloom. 
  • Once blooms fade, continue to monitor the moisture level of the soil and water the green leaves. It is likely that the orchid will rebloom -- be patient, sometimes the plant will surprise you after many months. Colder temps will encourage new bloom spikes to grow, and reblooming often occurs from late Winter through the Spring.
  • To encourage reblooming you may want to "cut back" the bloom spike. If the nodes along the bloom spike appear dry and brown you are better off cutting the entire spike at the base. If the nodes are green and fresh looking you can "cut back" several nodes from where the blooms appear, snipping just above the node -- a new spike may shoot from this place leading to new blooms.

 

HYDRANGEA PLANTS

  • Soil should be kept moist. Will often require watering at least once per day, especially during warmer months. Best way to water is by holding over a sink, allowing water to drain and/or squeezing out the excess. Mist leaves with spray bottle if possible.
  • Hydrangeas should be kept out of direct sunlight. They prefer bright, indirect light which means out of the sun's direct rays. Hydrangeas prefer temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees F during the day, and can tolerate temps as low as 50 degrees F at night.
  • Expect each flower head to last two to three weeks. After flowering, Hydrangea plants can be potted outside in the ground in a spot where they will receive full morning sun and light afternoon shade. 

To see what we have available for purchase online today, visit our Seasonal Collection, or more specifically our Plants & Gifts. You can also visit us in person at 79 Union Street in Newton Centre, MA.

PLANT RETURN POLICY

At Bloomsbury Park Flowers, we make every effort to sell only the healthiest and longest-lasting plants, and we rigorously care for the plants in our store. We understand that there may be situations in which the plant you purchase does not thrive as you would hope or expect. If this is the case, or if you do not know how best to care for the plant, please call the store as soon as possible and we will be happy to consult with you about the proper care. If the plant remains unhealthy despite proper care, we can accept returns on the item within two weeks (14 days) of purchase. A refund for store credit will be issued. Beyond this time, we cannot accept returns (although we will still be happy to provide advice).