Fresh Flowers Care

Your flowers are freshly harvested from our farm but to prolong their vase life follow these simple instructions;

• Trim Stems: Immediately after receiving your flowers, trim the stems at an angle under water. This prevents air bubbles from blocking water uptake. 

• Fill Vase: Use a clean vase and fill it with fresh, tepid water. 

• Flower Food: You can make your own flower food by stirring into the vase water a teaspoon of sugar and a drop of bleach.

• Change Water: Change the water every 1-2 days, or whenever it becomes cloudy. 

• Remove Foliage: Remove any leaves that will be submerged in the water, as they can cause bacterial growth and cloud the water.

• Remove Faded Blooms: Remove any faded or wilting flowers or foliage to prevent them from affecting the rest of the bouquet. 

• Re-cut Stems: Re-trim the stems every few days to ensure they can continue to absorb water. 

• Check Water Level: Regularly check the water level in the vase and top it up as needed. 

Dried Flower Care

Avoid Moisture and Humidity:

• Dried flowers should never be watered or exposed to humid environments. 

• High humidity can cause them to soften, wilt, or even go mouldy. 

• Avoid placing them in bathrooms or kitchens, which tend to be more humid. 

Protect from Direct Sunlight:

• Direct sunlight can cause colours to fade quickly. 

• Find a cool, dry spot away from windows for display. 

• Sunlight can also dry out the flowers further, making them more brittle. 

Handle with Care: 

• Dried flowers are fragile and can break easily.

• Handle them gently when arranging or dusting.

• Avoid placing them in high-traffic or windy areas where they might be bumped or knocked over.

Proper Storage:

• When not on display, store dried flowers in a cool, dry, and dark place. 

• Consider using a box or bag with ventilation to prevent dust buildup. 

• If they get flattened in storage, a gentle blast of cool air from a hairdryer can help fluff them up. 

Dusting: 

• Gently dust dried flowers with a soft brush, feather duster, or a hairdryer on a low, cool setting.

• Avoid using water or harsh cleaning agents.

Dahlia Tubers

A Healthy Dahlia Tuber

Firmness:

Healthy tubers should feel firm and solid, like a potato. If you can squeeze them and they feel hollow or mushy, they are likely rotten. Check the neck of the tuber is not broken.

Eyes:

Look for an "eye" on the crown of the tuber, this is a growth bud that will sprout into a new plant.

Rot:

Check for any signs of rot, such as soft, discoloured, or mushy spots. A bad odour can also indicate rot.

Size:

While larger tubers can produce more robust plants, even small tubers can produce beautiful blooms as long as they have an eye.

Wrinkles:

Wrinkled tubers are not necessarily a cause for concern, as long as they are still firm and have an eye

Tubers come in all shapes and sizes, if you are unsure of your tuber condition when you receive it please do not hesitate to contact us.

Storing your Dahlia tubers 

• Container: Choose a storage container like a cardboard box, crate, plastic bin or the paper bag you received your tubers in. 

• Medium: You can pack the tubers in a breathable medium like peat moss, shredded paper, vermiculite, or sawdust. 

• Environment: Ensure the storage area is cool, dark and dry.

• Air Circulation: Make sure there's enough space between tubers and good air circulation to prevent moisture buildup and rot. 

• Humidity: Aim for a humidity level around 85% but monitor the tubers regularly and adjust as needed. 

• Rodent Protection: Be mindful of rodents, as they may see dahlia tubers as a tasty snack. 

• Regular Checks: Check on your tubers throughout the winter. Some shriveling is likely to occur and is normal but check for mushy tubers or signs of rot.

• Adjustments: If tubers are too dry, add some moisture (e.g., dampen the storage medium). If they are too wet, move them to a drier location or add a drying agent like vermiculite

Planting and caring for your Dahlias.

Choose the right location:

Dahlias thrive in full sun (at least 6-8 hours a day) and well-draining soil. Consider staking them at planting time, especially for larger varieties. 

Prepare the soil:

If planting in the ground, loosen the soil and had a few good handfuls of compost. 

Planting:

·       Place the tuber on its side, horizontally, with the eye (growing point) facing upwards. 

·       Gently cover the tuber with soil. 

Spacing:

Space individual tubers about 40-cm apart to allow for growth and good airflow.

Watering:

Water gently after planting but avoid overwatering until sprouts appear otherwise you risk your tubers forming rot. Dahlias don't need a lot of water initially but require about one inch per week when growing and two inches per week when blooming. 

Starting indoors (optional):

If you want an earlier start, you can pot the tubers in a large pot with well-draining soil and keep them in a frost-free location until the weather warms up. 

Protect from frost:

In areas with frost, tubers need to be dug up and stored over winter. If you have a relatively free draining and sheltered spot you can leave your tubers in the ground, only digging and dividing them when the tuber clumps because to big (usually every 3rd year)