Homegrown Buddies( Joining Form )

Caring for your Homegrown Buddies( Joining Form )

Keep this bouquet in a clean vase away from direct sun and fruit, and give it deep, fresh water that the Roses and Gerberas will draw on heavily through their soft stems. The Hydrangea drinks through its petals as much as its stem, so a light mist on the bloom head revives it whenever it starts to droop. Recut the woody Protea stem at a sharp angle so it can take up water properly, and handle the Gerbera gently since its stalk bends and bruises more easily than the rest. The Anthurium asks for little beyond clean water and warmth, so let its waxy spathe set the tone while you tend to the thirstier blooms around it.

A note on your specific blooms

• Anthurium — Anthurium prefers warmth — keep it away from the cold and wipe the leaf gently.
• Gerbera — Gerbera has fragile stems — use shallow, clean water and support the heads.
• Hydrangea — Hydrangea takes up water through its petals — mist the heads and keep the vase topped up.
• Protea — Strip any foliage below the waterline and refresh the water every two to three days, as protea leaves foul water quickly and shorten the bloom's life.
• Rose — Roses drink heavily — re-cut the stems at an angle every couple of days.