Moms will surely appreciate beautiful flowers this Mother’s Day. Organic, fair-trade and eco-friendly flowers are available in many places. Some favorite online florists include Eco Flowers, Veriflora , California Organic Flowers and Organic Bouquet. The United Kingdom also has an ethical florist, Eco Flowers that delivers internationally. Santa Cruz has The Bonney Doon Garden Company. Also try Callyx Flowers for a few eco-approved selections.
Many supermarkets also carry sustainable and/or fair trade flowers. Also check for your local organic florist or local harvest for farmer’s markets. Ria Sims of Twigsstudio in Danville, California offers some tips on making flowers last. Her recommendations:
–Cut stems on the diagonal while under water as dried out stems won’t absorb water properly.
–Change the water on a daily basis and continue to remove foliage that might be underwater. Each time cut off a little bit of the stems.
–Please use flower cutters or shears for cutting as standard kitchen scissors “can crush the vascular systems of the flower stem, inhibiting water uptake.”
–Use a container that is free of mildew and dirt. Wash in warm water with a little bleach.
–Flower preservative is a must! Don’t have any? Try the following ideas:
–Add a dash of a sugar-based drink like Sprite.
–Or use this recipe:
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon bleach
2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice
1 quart lukewarm water
–Some things to avoid:
Full hot sunshine
Drafty areas
Warm places like next to heat ducts
Top of appliances such as televisions.
–Now flowers will last longer and maintain their beauty. Enjoy your flowers and Happy Mother’s Day!
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