Fresh flowers can brighten up any office. Most of us have experienced when a colleague has a bouquet delivered and immediately the office feels a nicer place. If you are fortunate to be the flower recipient, your desk will not only look brighter but smell fantastic. However, many people are nervous about caring for fresh flowers, but fortunately, here is where water coolers for offices can come in very handy. With good quality water and a little care, you can extend the lifespan of fresh flowers and keep your workplace looking cheery throughout the week.
Preparing the Vase:
While bouquets look great, you can’t just pop it in a vase as the flowers will need some preparation to survive. You should remove any greenery from the stems below the level of the vase. You will also need to cut two to four centimetres off the bottom of the stem to reduce air going into the stem. Many flower experts recommend trimming the stems every day to help the flower absorb maximum nutrients and water.
Avoid Direct Sunlight:
The “fact” that flowers need sunlight is a myth. When you have fresh cut flowers, sunlight can be detrimental. This is because it can dehydrate the flowers, causing petals to appear paler and buds to close. Flowers can also dehydrate from ceiling fans, the wind and even ripening fruit. Your vase should be kept in a cool area for optimum blooming.
Keep Providing Good Quality Water:
The water in your vase should be changed every other day. You should clean and refill from water coolers for offices to ensure that there is a reduced risk of germs. Fresh flowers can develop a slimy texture in the water and this is caused by stem debris and the flowers deteriorating. Unless your flowers are bulb flowers, you will need to allow the water to come back to room temperature to avoid shocking the flowers.
Feed Your Flowers:
Once a flower is separated from its plant, it begins to lose vital nutrients. This means that if you want to prolong the lifespan of your flowers, these nutrients need to be replaced. Most florists will supply flower food with bouquets or arrangements, but you can also buy food at garden centres. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully as overfeeding can be almost as detrimental as not feeding at all. When you change the vase water, you will need to add in the feed. Just be sure to rinse out the vase to remove any residue.
While each different variety of flower is unique and requires its own care, these general guidelines can help you to keep your flowers looking great. If you develop a habit of keeping fresh flowers in your office, it may be worth researching your favourite varieties a little further.
If you would like to know more about filtered water coolers for offices, contact us. At Aussie Natural, we have a range of water coolers for offices and homes. Our team are available to answer any queries and we would be delighted to help you to find the water cooler best suited to your needs.