Flowers are a heartfelt, natural way to lift our spirits. They can provide a smile for a tired face or even brighten a room for a convalescent.

Just imagine your favorite flower. Are you smiling yet? You are definitely in a better mood. There isn't a doubt that beautiful surroundings provide us with a favorite environment that helps us thrive.

Flowers are a simple and affordable way to add a splash of color and emotion into your life. Tropical flowers are an exciting new change from traditional floral gifts like roses, and with modern shipping methods they are available worldwide.

Their large size and vibrant colors make them an impressive gift for favorite occasions like Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, birthdays and anniversaries. Flowers can be purchased from local florists or "Grower Direct" services that ship them worldwide.

If purchasing flowers to be shipped, make sure someone is waiting to accept the order and that they are not left with the mail on a back porch in the sun all afternoon until someone comes home from work.

Flowers are shipped without any water supply, and neglecting them for hours on top of the shipping time can take days off their lifespan.

If you buy tropical flowers like heliconias or gingers, or if you are lucky enough to live in the tropics and have them in your garden, here are a select few tips to help them thrive and to extend their shelf life as cut flowers.

Caring for Cut Tropical Flowers

one. Water your plants well and give them a large drink prior to cutting. This is significant for foliage plants as well because a few varieties "drink" incredibly little after cutting. Instead, they live off their stored sap.

Tropical plants have adapted to their natural environment which means frequent but short periods of heavy tropical downpour. Look at the flower heads and notice how the petals are "cupped" to catch and store as much water as possible. These plants drink from the top and like being showered with water.

Look at the pattern on the leaves. The ridges channel water down to the stem where it's absorbed into the many layers of the plant.

two. If your flowers have been out of water for any length of time after cutting, submerge them entirely in the bath for half an hour before placing them in a vase.

three. Cut three to four inches off the stem and then place them in a tall vase FULL of clean water.

four. Use a spray bottle to mist them at least twice a day.

five. Change the water and trim a new end on the stems every second or third day.

You are able to double the vase life of your cut flowers by applying these elementary techniques.

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About Flowers and Love by Frank Vanderlugt

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