At bloom boxx, we highly recommend taking advantage of "do it yourself" bouquets at the supermarket floral department. In our area, Shop Rite regularly offers "3 for $10" bunches of flowers. You get to choose whatever 3 bunches you want from the assortment. It's truly a great bargain.
Remember when choosing your bouquets to pick fresh flowers. The blooms should be open, but not fully open. When you touch the blooms (gently!), they should feel firm, and petals should not fall off. Foliage on the stems should look fresh and green, not brown. And, be sure there is no mold.
When you get your flowers home, you should "condition" your flowers before arranging them. Put tepid water in a bucket - think warm, but not "hot" - the temperature you would use to bathe an infant. Many pre-bundled flower bunches at the supermarket include those little packets of flower food attached to the bunch with a rubber band. Use it! The powder is specifically designed for flowers. It's a combination of anti-bacterial that keeps water clean and food to literally feed your flowers. If you don't have any flower food powder, don't sweat it. Remove all leaves from the flower stems that would be under water when in the vase. Also remove any outer petals that are bruised or brown. Then, give your flowers a sharp, quick cut with a knife or floral shears and put them immediately into the tepid water. Let your flowers soak up a fresh drink for at least an hour.
When it's time to arrange your flowers in the container you have chosen, use room temperature water. Again, use flower food powder if you have it. If not, put just a few drops of regular bleach in the water. This helps keep any bacteria from forming, keeping the water clear. Again, make a quick fresh cut on the stems and place immediately into the vase.
In the pictures you see here, 8 bunches of flowers were purchased. Working in soft pink and white tones, the task was to make 2 small arrangements to be placed on the table at a small family dinner party celebrating the birthday of an aunt. After making the 2 arrangements, there were a few stems and cuttings left over. We found a bud vase in the cupboard, and used the leftovers to make a small arrangement that was placed in the bathroom. A bonus bouquet! Total cost was less than $30 - using containers that were already in the house. Furthermore, there are 3 lovely little flower arrangements that can be sent home with the birthday girl, or any other guests, as gifts.
Pick fresh bundles, condition them, and use any leftover "scraps" - getting the most for your flower dollar!
