Amoré / 13

Caring for your Amoré / 13

Keep this bouquet in clean, room-temperature water and stand it away from direct sun, heat, and the ethylene that ripening fruit gives off. The roses and dahlias are heavy drinkers, so check the water level daily and top it up before it drops below their stems. The hydrangea takes in moisture through its petals as well as its stem, so a light misting of its head will keep it from wilting prematurely, and the woody gladiolus and rose stems benefit from a fresh diagonal cut to reopen their channels. Handle the gerbera stems gently, as they bend easily and prefer shallower water to stay upright, and lift the pampas grass out to one side if you want to preserve it as the fresh flowers fade.

A note on your specific blooms

• Chrysanthemum — Chrysanthemum is sensitive to murky water — strip the lower leaves and refresh it often.
• Dahlia — Cut the hollow stems at an angle and refresh the water every day or two, as dahlias drink heavily and wilt quickly when thirsty.
• Gerbera — Gerbera has fragile stems — use shallow, clean water and support the heads.
• Gladiolus — Trim the stem and pinch off the topmost faded buds to push the remaining florets up the spike into bloom.
• Hydrangea — Hydrangea takes up water through its petals — mist the heads and keep the vase topped up.
• Pampas Grass — Keep the plumes dry and out of humidity, and give them a gentle shake on arrival to settle and fluff the fronds.
• Rose — Roses drink heavily — re-cut the stems at an angle every couple of days.