Favor your loved one with red tulips on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.
© Neirfy/dollarphotoclub.com
The day we profess our romantic love is fast approaching and, of course, I recommend flowers for the occasion. And in the year 2016, Valentine’s Day flowers can be given to men as an expression of love, as well as to women.
Here are some tips for caring for cut flowers any time of year:
- At the florist, select stems with flower buds that are still tight, or barely open. In season, morning is the best time to cut flowers from the garden.
- When you get the flowers home, make a new, 45-degree angle cut on the stem. Experts recommend making the cut on a rose with the stem under water.
- Remove leaves that will be under water in the vase.
- Cut flower preservative can be used with tulips, daffodils, lilies, dahlias or other bulbs. Mix the preservative with the water in a clean vase. Some people mix the preservative in a gallon jug and use that mixture when replenishing water in the vase.
- Arrange the flowers in the vase. Don’t crowd the arrangement because that can speed up the deterioration of the bouquet. The flowers should be one-half to two-thirds taller than the vase.
- Place the vase out of direct sun. The cooler the location, the longer the bouquet is likely to last.
- Every day or two, replenish the water in the vase. Recut the flower stems if the bottoms look brown, yellow or mushy. Remove flowers as they start to fade.
Birth month flowers
Texas A&M University, the Old Farmer’s Almanac and about flowers.com have assigned flowers to represent various birth months. A bouquet of flowers representing a loved one’s birth month makes a unique gift for his or her special day.
January: Carnation. Red means “I love you.”
February: Violet. You’ll always be there for the recipient.
Daffodils, the birth flower for March, symbolizes unequaled love or sympathy. (C) Gimmestock.com
March: Daffodil. Unequaled love, or sympathy.
April: Daisy. Innocence.
May: Lily of the valley. Sweetness, humility and a return to happiness.
June: Rose. Yellow is jealousy or loss of love.
July: Larkspur. Pink means fickle.
August: Gladiolus. Remembrance, calm.
September: Aster. Powerful love.
October: Marigold. Fierce, undying love.
November: Mum. Innocence, pure love.
December: Holly. Domestic happiness.