How to Keep Flowers Fresh Longer

Clients and friends ask me how to keep cut flowers fresh longer...there are some "secrets":

• Clean the vase/container very well before putting in flower. Bacteria is the number one killer that shortens flower life.
• Angle cut stems.
• Dip flowers in florist alum quickly before putting in water. It allows flowers to absorb more water. Alum works for most flowers.
• Add flower food or floral preservative in clean water.
• Keep flowers away from ripening fruits, which generate ethylene gas. Flowers are extremely sensitive to ethylene gas, which will cause decay to happen much faster!
• Keep flowers away from heat.
• Change water frequently.

Repeat these steps everytime you change water for the flowers, and they will last longer for you!

Give Today

I think most of us should have heard about the disastrous earthquake happened in Sze Chuan, China on May 12, 2008. I am deeply moved by what I have seen and heard from the media. My heart is crushed when I see children losing their parents; parents losing their precious only child; death roll rises pass 50,000; five million left homeless...I can not find the right word to describe my feelings. Sze Chuan is very far away from where we live, but I believe every one of us can still give a helping hand. Give today.

World Vision
UNICEF
American Red Cross

May Weddings

As we are entering the busy summer wedding season, I would like to share with you some of the fun late Spring weddings we did in May.

I will try to pick out several real weddings to share with Poppy's Blog readers every month. Check back often!