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 Fast
Facts About Tropicals Long-lasting Hawaiian tropicals
heliconias, gingers and exotics come in a rainbow of shapes and
sizes. In fact, tropicals range in length from six inches to six
feet and in tone from the deepest coral to the richest orange.
What this means is an unsurpassed selection of bold lines and
vibrant colors. To help their luster last, here's the best way
to treat tropicals.
-
Unpack the flowers immediately.
- Trim
1/2 to 1 inch from the end of each stem.
- Place
the flowers in a clean vase with clean water.
- Wet
flower heads and foliage daily to prevent dehydration.
- Keep
flowers away from heat sources and air conditioning ducts.
- If
heliconias or birds of paradise are supplied to you in a closed
condition, open one or two flowers by hand from their protective
bracts or spathe.
- Bird
of paradise should be stored at temperatures above 45 degrees
F, while gingers and heliconias should not be stored below 65
degrees F.
- To
prevent gingers from bending, you'll want to hold them vertically.
- Good
news. These flowers aren't ethylene sensitive.
- The
bird of paradise's tendency to produce a lot of nectar can sometimes
lead to mold growth on the flower. This mold can be removed
easily by washing the flower with plain warm, soapy water and
rinsing with clean water.
For
longer vase life...
Recut stems. Use clean water with or without a floral preservative.
Keep flowers away from heat sources, air conditioning drafts,
and direct sunlight. Clean vase when changing water. Tropicals
have long vase life, up to two weeks.
Fast
Facts About Anthuriums
Anthuriums from Hawaii are known for their especially long vase
life. Depending on the variety and season, this heart-shaped favorite
can retain its straight-from-the-tropics freshness for up to 45
days.
The
following tips from Hawaii's tropical flower experts will help
you make the most of the  astonishing
anthurium. The flowers will arrive when the spadix (the tail-like
part, which is actually a protruding floral cluster) has 75 percent
open miniature flowers. You'll know the anthurium is mature when
the spadix changes color from a yellowish/off-white to white and
its surface becomes rougher. Unpack the flowers immediately and
carefully. Creasing or folding the heart-shaped part of the flower
will cause the injured areas to darken.
Trim
1/2 to 1 inch off the stems, being careful not to mash them. If
the flowers are wilted or flaccid upon unpacking,  submerge
whole flowers for 10 to 15 minutes in 70 to 80 degrees F water.
Place the flowers in a clean vase and one that contains clean
water (with or without a floral preservative). Avoid storing anthuriums
at temperatures lower than their ideal -55 degrees F- for any
length of time. This way youčll reduce the likelihood of a chilling
injury, which causes the flower to darken.
For
longer vase life...
- Recut
stems once.
- Use
clean water - with or without a floral preservative.
-
Keep flowers away from heat sources and drafts.
Fast
Facts About Proteas
Protea need a substantial vase, deep and somewhat heavy because
of the weight of the flowers. Stems can be cut shorter or kept
at the original length, but do nip the end of each stem to allow
the flowers to absorb water. 
To
prepare proteas:
Cut off a little bit of the stem (you will need a good pair of
pruning shears as the stems are difficult to cut) Rinse your vase
with bleach to remove any bacteria which could shorten the life
of your flowers. Change the water frequently. Place the flowers
in an area with good air circulation (protea generate considerable
heat)
How
to dry protea:
Properly cared for, proteas stay fresh-looking for weeks. Better
still, blooms can be dried to create lasting - and stunning -
arrangements. Remove flowers from their vase. Hang them upside
down to air-dry in a dark, well-ventilated place. In 2-3 weeks,
their vibrant colors will have softened to dusty pinks and browns.
The flowers may now be arranged - this time permanently.
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