|
Common Name:BIRD of PARADISE
Botanical Name: Strelitzia Reginae
"Nickname (s) ":
Origin: see History / Legends below:
Availability:All year round
Lasting Quality:10 - 12 days with proper care
Design Techniques: ALWAYS place protection under the container to absorb the sap that drips from the bloom - it's very strong - it WILL remove finishes / laquer off any furniture upon contact. you can hand force the 5 bracts to be displayed immediately by gently forcing them upwards with your fingers placed under the spike - you may have to remove the membrane from each - so it will continue to open. You will have the sap over your fingers - wash immediately , so none comes in contact with any furniture, etc.They do not make good body flower designs. Avoid temperatures below 50 deg F
Preservation Quality:
How Packaged:5 stem bunches - most heads are completely closed upon delivery
Size:Single bloom fans out to 3" - 4" across. Stem approximately 2' long with spiked, pale green leaves
Available Colors:Orange/blue bloom - only flower that has these colors across the color wheel naturally
You have purchased fresh flowers in bulk...
They come to you just as the Florist receives them, and they usually don't look like the ones in the Florist's cooler. Your Florist may go through several bunches to select the "Right flowerS" for the arrangement. As a Florist for over 20 years, I believe each flower is beautiful and has a place somewhere in your flower arranging.
Enjoy your flowers!
Priscilla
The HOW TO SHEET...
Prepare & Care for Freshly Cut Bulk BIRD OF PARADISE
Our bulk flowers are cut and shipped directly from the grower or distributor to your door overnight. They come to you just as a Florist receives them:
- Dry cut
- Packed tight
- Blooms vary within bunch
- By buying "in bulk" you do the work the Florist must do to get your Field Packed flowers to look like the ones they sell in their shops, saving you money!
When Your Flowers Arrive, You Need To:
- Remove the plastic sleeve from the bunch
- Remove the rubber band or twisty-tie from the bunch
- Now you can work on one stem at a time
For Each BIRD of PARADISE You MUST:
- Do NOT remove too many leaves because they help support the life of your flowers, remove only what is necessary
- Cut 1 inch off the stem using a sharp knife or scissors
- Place each stem in a large container filled with 6 inches or more of warm water with a packet of flower food for every bunch (Clean trash cans work great!!)
- Keep container at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours to 'harden'** see below
- The flowers can be left out at room temperature until used
- CAUTION: One Rule MUST be followed!!!
- No fruit or vegetables are allowed in the refrigerator with fresh flowers
- WHY? Because fruits and veggies emit an ethylene gas that 'puts the flowers to sleep'!!-- Droopy heads are NOT pretty!
**HARDENING YOUR FLOWERS... ABOUT YOUR WATER...
|
Means getting them to drink water and food immediately, since they haven't had any since the dry cut procedure in the field.
This 'hardens' / prolongs the life of the flowers to their optimum. The flower life support needs water and food constantly. They are always thirsty!!! |
Distilled or bottled water is best for your flowers. Avoid using tap water from your sink or commercial water softner. We have tested tap water in our city (we have good drinking water) and were surprised at how a flower's life differed from one part of the city to another. When we had the water analyzed, it had different concentrations of chemicals and the flower's life span was shorter than when using distilled or bottled water. |
HISTORY / LEGENDS OF BIRD OF PARADISE
|
