OVID, Mich., April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- As Dads head out with little ones in tow searching for the perfect Mother's Day bouquet, a few friendly flower tips may help make Mom's day extra special. To present Mom with the best in beautiful blooms, http://www.flowrmd.com/ offers advice on selecting the freshest flowers as well as a guide to flower varieties with a new flower encyclopedia featuring more than 100 listings.

"From the time they are toddlers, kids love to present their Moms with flowers," said Flower Doctor, Bridget Behe, Ph.D. "With a little help from Dad and FlowrMD.com, Mom can enjoy her Mother's Day blooms for days to come." According to Dr. Behe, buying the best blooms doesn't have to be a tough task. The following simple Do's and Don'ts can make the flower-buying experience for a breeze for Mother's Day and throughout the year.

Do - Pick Petals like Produce

Dr. Behe recommends using the same steps used in buying fresh produce to help with selecting the freshest blooms. Flowers should have the same qualities as a fresh head of lettuce: crisp, hydrated leaves and petals. Other tips include:

DO: Clue-in to Color -- Just like fruits and vegetables, flowers should have good, vibrant color. Spots or discoloration can be a sign of disease problems. DO: Use Your Nose -- Smell the water ... it should smell fresh and clean. DO: Skip the Slime -- Slimy salad ingredients would be skipped, so forego slimy stems on flowers. Stems should be crisp, clean and without breakage. DO: Cool 'em Off -- Dads and kids may be tempted to hide flowers from Mom until the special day. Avoid hiding places like the car or heated closet. Be sure to store bouquets in a dry, cool place and in water. Don't - Ignore Care & Handling

Give Mom's flowers some extra care to help prolong the enjoyment period. Here are some tips to help get fresh cut flower arrangements off to a good start:

DON'T: Slice with Scissors -- Be sure to re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a clean, sharp knife or floral clippers while under warm water; immediately place into the vase or container DON'T: Forget the Food -- Commercial flower food solution is a must. Follow the mixing instructions on the flower food packet. Most packets should be mixed with either a pint or a quart of water. Flower foods should not be diluted with more water than is specified. DON'T: Leave Leaves -- If the leaves on the stems will fall below the water line in the container/vase, remove. Leaves in water will promote bacterial microbial growth that may limit water uptake by the flower and shorten life Dr. Bridget Behe

Throughout the year, Dr. Behe hosts a question and answer section on http://www.flowrmd.com/ called "Ask Bridget" where she has helped remedy thousands of flower-care dilemmas. She draws from her experience as a professor in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University where she teaches horticulture courses. She also is a member of the OFA, an association of floriculture professionals, the Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association and is a Michigan Certified Florist.

The Flower Promotion Organization

The Flower Promotion Organization, an alliance of United States and Colombian fresh-cut flower growers, is dedicated to providing consumers with fresh-cut flower education and design inspiration.

CONTACT: Shawn Campbell-Zurawski of Flower Promotion Organization,
+1-815-730-1772, s.campbellzurawski@comcast.net

Web site: http://www.flowrmd.com/