July flower of the month

Larkspur

Larkspur flowers have many blooming delicate flowers and medium green foliage along tall stately spikes.
As the flower blooms from the lower part to the top, unopened buds provide an interesting contrast to the weightless blossom form. Larkspur is known for its award winning premium quality and long lasting vase life.
With its lush, dolphin-shaped flowers, the aptly named delphinium – or larkspur – symbolizes an open heart and ardent attachment. Also signifying a feeling of lightness and levity, the gentle hues and refreshing fragrance of this summer birth flower give it a refreshing and distinctive natural beauty.

Cut stems should be placed in water immediately, as air rapidly moves into the water-conducting tissues and plugs the cells. This is why, a Cut Flower that has been out of water for more than a few minutes should have a small portion of the lower stem cut off so that water moves up freely when the stem is returned to water. Cuts can be made under-water to assure the no air enters the stem. Further, care of your cut flowers is enhanced by following the tips given below-

• Commercial floral preservatives increase the life of Cut Flowers and should always be used. A floral preservative is a complex mixture of sucrose (sugar); acidifier, an inhibitor of microorganisms; and a respiratory inhibitor.
• To aid the floral preservative in slowing down the growth of microorganisms around the Cut Flowers, always clean the flower vase or container.
• Remove all leaves on the stems of the Cut Flowers below the water surface, as they soon deteriorate.
• Place the cut flowers in a cool location for an hour or two. Cut Flowers placed in cool temperatures lose less water.
• A process called hardening ensures maximum water uptake, where the freshly cut stem of the Cut Flower is placed in 110 degree Farenheit water (plus preservative).
• Check the water level of the floral container or vase, in which the Cut Flowers are placed, daily and add water plus preservative when needed.
• Let the cutflowers get a good amount of ventilation.
• Keep Cut Flowers away from hot or cold air drafts and hot spots (radiators, direct heat, or television sets).
• Never store fruit and Cut Flowers together. Apples produce ethylene gas, a hormone that causes senescence, or aging, in the Cut Flowers.

(information taken from: the flower expert, teleflora and fifty flowers)