Kaia

Caring for your Kaia

Kaia rewards attention to water more than anything else, since the Roses and Hydrangea are heavy drinkers and will be the first to flag if the vase runs low. Keep the water level generous and change it every couple of days; the Hydrangea in particular takes in moisture through its petals, so a light mist or a brief dunk of the bloom head revives it when it starts to droop. Trim the woodier Rose and Snapdragon stems on a sharp diagonal so they can draw freely, and handle the more delicate Ranunculus and Delphinium gently, as their stems bruise easily. Keep the arrangement out of direct sun, away from draughts and ripening fruit, and the Anthurium will quietly anchor the piece long after the softer flowers have had their moment.

A note on your specific blooms

• Anthurium — Anthurium prefers warmth — keep it away from the cold and wipe the leaf gently.
• Delphinium — Keep the tall stems in deep, fresh water and out of draughts, as Delphinium drinks heavily and wilts quickly if the vase runs low.
• 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.
• Ranunculus — Cut the hollow stems straight across, not at an angle, and keep water shallow and fresh, as these stems sit soft and bruise or rot easily when submerged too deep.
• Rose — Roses drink heavily — re-cut the stems at an angle every couple of days.
• Snapdragon — Trim the stems on a sharp angle and refresh the water often, as snapdragons drink heavily. The florets open from the bottom of the spike upward, so pinch away the lower blooms as they fade to keep the spire looking fresh.