Caring For Fresh Tropical Flowers

Tropical Flowers is the generic term used to describe flower types that grow in warmer, tropical climates. Tropical flowers are different to the more traditional flower types in that their flowers usually have a "rubbery" appearance and texture. Because tropical flowers have adapted to live in warm environments, they are generally last very well when kept in air conditioned or heated environments. They consume very little water, and should generally last at least two weeks as a cut flower. In our store we often have customers advising us that their tropical flowers survived for much longer than two weeks.

Varieties of Tropical Flowers

Tropical flower types that you may have seen in your local florist store include all Orchid varieties, Birds of Paradise (Strezletzia), Heliconias, Ginger Beehives, Poinsettia, Anthurium, Euphorbia and Gloriosa Lily.

Optimum Environment

Whilst the majority of flowers survive longer by being kept in cool conditions, this is not necessarily the case with tropical flowers, in fact they will be harmed if allowed to to get too cool. Tropical flowers generally grow in regions where the temperature never goes below 18°C. To keep tropical flowers in optimum condition, do not keep them at temperatures below 12°C. Cooling below this temperature generally causes them to discolour and blacken. Tropical flowers generally survive better than any other type of flower in dry air conditioned office environments as well as in homes that have central heating operating over the winter.

Vase Water

As with all cut flowers it is essential that you keep the water in the vase very clean. You can help to maintain the water cleanliness by added the flower food satchel that your florist would have supplied when you bought your flowers, otherwise it is possible to make your own flower food. It is recommended that vase water be changed daily, however more realistically it is okay to change it every second or third day.

When you are changing the water take the time to trim the stems of the flowers. This is done by using sharp secateurs or florist snips, and cutting off the last 2cm of the stem. When trimming the stem, cut it on an angle as this will still allow water to be drawn into the stem even if the stem is resting on the bottom of the vase. Tropical flowers tend to drink less water than most other flower types, however do check their water level daily and top up if necessary.

It is important to always trim the stems when changing the water for two reasons. Firstly, over time the stem end will become blocked by impurities in the vase water. The only way to remove this blockage and allow fresh water to be drawn into the stem is by cutting the stem away. Secondly, when the stem has been out of water for any period of time, air will be drawn into the stem which will hamper its ability to draw water. Cutting off the bottom 2cm removes the area in which the air blockage is located, thus allowing water to easily be drawn into the stem. Once you have trimmed the stem, immediately plase the flower back into water.