Having a party....Help!

Dear Flourgal,

I want a certain type of flower for an upcoming event- do I have to have my event in a certain month in order to get the flowers I want? How do I keep flowers alive after my party?

From,

Confused, San Diego, CA 
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Dear Confused,


Welp, that was pretty vague, so I'll try my best to answer! I'm guessing if you are planning an event you have pretty much set a time frame of when it will occur, so this time the flowers have to work for you, not the other way around. Certain flowers, and most you find in grocery stores and as a staple at florists are year-round, such as roses, tulips, hydrangea, lilies and stock. You can use single bunches of one variety in matching glass vases as a backup. Throw some rocks or twist branches inside the vase, and voila! Good to go. If you are set on say peonies or sweet peas and it's Fall, you're outta luck, and going to have to accept using a substitution such as lisianthus or garden roses. Weddings are a whole new ball game, and those should be discussed with a florist who has knowledge of the vast varieties out there for each season.  


If you plan on doing the arrangements yourself, and live in a big city, chances are there is a flower mart. Look it up online to see when the public hours are and talk to vendors about ordering particular varieties. One week should suffice. If you work with a local florist, ask them about the prices of your top choices as most non-seasonal flowers can be imported from South America or Holland, however the price goes up by about three times. 


To keep your flowers alive after your party, make sure to change the water. Chances are that the flowers are perfectly arranged in floral foam or a grid, so place the vase under running water and allow the faucet to flush out the dirty water. It's always best to give the stems a fresh trim, however that may be impossible. If you see leaves below the water line, remove immediately, as this is an instant killer. 


Another option is to deconstruct the arrangements. Lots of times you will notice that some flowers seem to die the next day while others last for what seems like an eternity. This could happen because when different varieties are placed in the same vase, one type may create a certain bacteria that kills off the other flowers faster (that's one reason why flowers are separated at florists in individual buckets, it's not just for aesthetics), or some flowers simply just don't live as long. To deconstruct, separate the flowers, give them a cut, and place in smaller vases throughout your home or give out as gifts. 


From,
Flourgal

Dyed tulips for my wedding! Oh no!

Dear Flourgal,

I am in love with tulips, they are simple and elegant! I want to use them in my bouquet for my upcoming nuptials. I need to know if I can dye them for my attendants bouquets? Any advice on how to make my day more colorful? 

Sincerely,

Painting the tulips red!, Scottsdale, AZ  
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Dear Painting the tulips red!,

I had to reread your question twice, making sure that I read dye right. Technically, you could spray them (there is specific flower dye in spray paint cans, but those generally make red redder, purples bluer, etc.) or do the elementary school trick of placing white flowers in a cup of food dye. That being said, please don't! It looks as unnatural as it is, however you're in luck! Tulips are amazing for many reasons- they are super elegant and come in the colors of the rainbow (except blue). 

Dutch tulips are the short variety found everywhere. You can order any color (plain or bi-color, e.g. reds with a touch of yellow, or orange with yellow) a few days in advance. For a bride's bouquet I would use about 3-4 bunches (10 stems to a bunch). These tulips will have a lot of dirt inside the stems, so peel off any wilting greens, and run under water to remove dirt (or use a wet paper towel) and then cut stems on an angle. Place in the fridge for an hour (they are fine overnight too) in cool water to allow them to rehydrate and stand back up tall. Remember, heat expands and cool tightens. 

Parrot tulips, which are the same size as Dutch, have ruffly ends and come in lovely warm and cool colors (think whites with a touch of sage, mauve and pinks with green). They would be appropriate for something more fun and whimsical. French tulips are double the cost for a good reason. They are a bit more unusual and the flower heads are large and smooth. To me they resemble wax. They could be used in a cascading bouquet, just like large calla lilies are, and are found in large, tall centerpieces as well. 

To make your day more colorful, have each bridesmaid hold a different color bouquet of tulips, or if you want them to be monochromatic, change the color of the ribbon on the handle. 

From,

Flourgal

Our friend the protea

Dear Flourgal,

I love the variety of protea. How long do they last in an arrangement and what's the best way to care for them?

From,

Exotic Traveler, Philadelphia, PA

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Dear Exotic Traveler,

I love protea too- you have good taste in flowers;) Proteas instantly add pizazz to any arrangement for  their truly exotic and funky look. Like beer, for most people, it's a required taste. There are many varieties in the wild, however on the marketplace you will usually find 3-4 varieties- the most popular being the aptly named pin-cushion. They are super easy to care for. Without doing much to them, they should last for a week. As with all flowers, cutting the bottom on a angle and changing the water daily will extend their life. The stems are woody, but not a thick as hydrangea stems, so using regular scissors should do the trick. I would keep them out of direct sunlight and in a relatively warm to cool spot. 

From,

Flourgal