Dear Flower Lovers,

Remove greenery on floral stems before you add to vase. Foliage in water can cause bacteria to grow & decrease the longevity of your flowers. Trim stems at 45 degree angle.

Use room temperature water in your vase.

Add flower food to your vase before placing flowers.  (see recipe below)

Be sure to keep your floral arrangement out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperatures.

Recut your florals every few days to keep flowers hydrated, when doing so, replace with new clean water an add preservative. (Trim stems at 45 degree angle)

1 quart of water

1 Tablespoon of white vinegar

1 Teaspoon of superfine sugar

3-5 drops of bleach

Orchids are easy to grow and maintain when their light, soil, water, and fertilizer needs are met. When caring for an orchid, keep those following requirements in mind.

Overwatering is a common reason orchids don't survive. You should aim to water the plant just before the soil dries out. After watering, make sure no water remains in the crown or the leaf joints of the plant. Do this by turning your orchid to the side, which will drain water from the crown.

Orchids should be fed regularly during the growing season. Apply a balanced fertilizer specific for orchids, such as 20-20-20, about once a week. You can stop fertilizing during winter when the plants are not actively growing.

Orchids need fast-draining but water-retentive soil. Typically, they grow in a mix of bark, beat, perlite, or similar materials.

Give your orchid at least six hours of bright, indirect light from a south or east-facing window. While many orchids can handle more or less light, access to ample light enhances flowering potential.

The ideal temperature orchids need varies depending on the species. They are usually classified as either cool, intermediate or warm-growing depending on their temperature requirements. The usual definitions of these ranges in degrees Fahrenheit are:

Cool: 60 to 70 degrees: Day

50 to 55 degrees: Night.

Intermediate: 70 to 80 degrees: Day

55 to 65 degrees: Night

Warm:  80 to 90 degrees: Day

65 to 70 degrees: Night