February 14 is Valentines Day, and even though every day should be filled with love and romance Valentines Day is a day that stands out for love and romance.
Flowers have been associated with romance for centuries. During the Victorian era different flowers, flower colours and the way they were placed symbolized different messages from people who sent them to the people who received them.
Roses have been associated with love especially the red ones, as the colour red represents passion.
Dark pink would mean gratitude, light pink admiration, white purity and yellow would be joy.
If you wanted to share with someone that, yours is an everlasting love you would have sent a baby's breath posey.
If you are lucky enough to receive a bouquet of fresh flowers or a fresh floral arrangement you want to have them last as long as possible. Bouquets of flowers that do not come in a vase of water, should have the bottoms of the stem re-cut.
Using a sharp knife cut the stem at an angle and then place the flower in a water-filled vase with a packet of flower preservative mixed in with the water. When placing the flowers and greens in the water remove any of the lower leaves on the stem so that they are not submerged in the water. Also remove any yellowed or broken leaves or flowers to
prevent mould.
Keeping your fresh, floral arrangement well watered is important. I suggest checking it every day and giving it fresh water when needed. Placing your arrangement in an area of the home where temperatures are cooler will prolong the length of time the flowers will last, which is why flower shops keep their fresh flowers in coolers.
You also want to keep flowers (all plants) away from heating vents, radiators, cold drafts as this can shorten their lifespan.
Receiving fresh flowers is always a treat as many people only purchase fresh flowers for special occasions, but if you are looking for something that will last a little longer then one to two weeks, then a flowering potted plant may be a better choice.
There are many beautiful flowering plants available this time of year that will bloom for weeks or months if they are cared for properly including azaleas, cyclamens, mini roses, primulas, orchids, kalanchoe, African violets, jasmine, gardenias, helleborus, begonias, cineria and gerbras.
If you want to bring a little touch of early spring into the home there are spring flowering bulbs that have been forced indoors such as mini daffodils and irises, crocus, hyacinths, and tulips that all brighten up the home. These can be tossed in the compost after they have finished blooming or if you are up for a challenge you can remove the finished flowers and continue to water the bulbs as they grow their foliage, and in the spring the bulbs can be taken out of their containers and be planted outdoors. It is not always successful but sometimes they will bloom outdoors the following year.
Tropical plants can also make beautiful gifts and there are some that bloom such as the bromeliads, anthruium, and peace lily, or others that are popular because of their foliage such as crotons, dracaena and corn plants. These can last for years in the home with the proper care and attention.
Fresh flowers, a flowering plant or tropical flowers make great gifts for any occasion especially
Valentines Day.
