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Common Name: PHLOX
Botanical Name: Dougalsii spp., drummond spp., or paniculata spp.
"Nickname (s) ":
Origin: see History / Legends below:
Availability:May through December, purple variety only January through March
Lasting Quality:5 - 10 days
Design Techniques: Used as filler or single accent flower
Preservation Quality: Dries well when treated
How Packaged:10 stems per bunch
Size:Cluster of 1" blossoms form flower heads on 6" - 8" across atop stems of 12" - 30" long
Available Colors: Pink, lavender, white, red, some bi-colors
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 flower" 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 PHLOX
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
- Sometimes a bloom or two is broken off within a 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 PHLOX You MUST:
- Remove the leaves from the bottom of the stem so they won't be submerged under water--the leaves carry bacteria and if submerged in water, the bacteria will grow and shorten the life of your flowers
- 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
- If the stems are not going to be used immediately as a hand-out or in an arrangement, you can place them in a regular refrigerator
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- 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...
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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 PHLOX
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