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.
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