Tropic Azure

Caring for your Tropic Azure

Keep this arrangement out of direct sun and away from cooling vents, since the Hydrangea and Sunflower are the thirstiest stems and wilt first if the vase runs low. The Hydrangea drinks through its petals as much as its stem, so a light mist on the bloom head revives it when it starts to flag. Trim the woody Protea stems on a sharp diagonal so they keep drawing water, and handle the Gloriosa and Orchid gently, as their stems are fragile and bruise easily. Pull the lower foliage below the waterline to keep the water clear, and the long-lasting Anthurium and Celosia will carry the display well after the softer flowers have gone.

A note on your specific blooms

• Amaranthus — Recut the stems at an angle and keep the water shallow, as amaranthus drinks heavily and the lower stem softens quickly when submerged too deep.
• Anthurium — Anthurium prefers warmth — keep it away from the cold and wipe the leaf gently.
• Celosia — Keep the water shallow and refreshed often, as Celosia's thick stems are prone to rot in deep or stagnant vases.
• Gloriosa — Handle stems with care and keep them away from pets and children, as every part of the plant is toxic if ingested.
• Hydrangea — Hydrangea takes up water through its petals — mist the heads and keep the vase topped up.
• Orchid — Keep orchid stems in cool, clean water away from ripening fruit, whose ethylene gas makes the blooms drop early.
• 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.
• Sunflower — Sunflowers are heavy drinkers, so use a tall vessel with plenty of water and top it up daily to keep the stems firm.