How to Care for Your Valentine's Day Flowers

Flowers are a classic Valentine's Day gift, but keeping them alive days after the holiday isn't easy. Patch sat down with Lori Scionti, Horticulture Director at the  on Aquidneck Avenue, to learn more about how to care for your Valentine’s Day flowers. If you still haven't ordered flowers for your sweetheart, Maher delivers to all of Aquidneck Island!  

How to care for fresh flowers

• Before you put them in the vase, cut the ends fresh with a scissors. This will reopen the cells in the flower's stem to draw up the water.
• Dissolve the packet of flower food into fresh water.
• Repeat these steps every couple of days to keep the flower hydrated.
• Keep the flowers out of direct sun. The cooler the environment, the better, said Scionti.

For a sustainable and a longer lasting Valentine’s gift, consider a houseplant!

• Keep houseplants in a well lit room, out of direct sunlight.
• Watering cannot be scheduled since it is dependent on external conditions such a sunlight and room temperature. Scionti said that people tend to over water houseplants; the soil should be completely dry before watering. One way to test the soil is to put a finger an inch deep to feel if it is dry. For her own plants, Scoionti said she waits for them to wilt before watering.
• Once the plant is ready for watering, it should be thoroughly hydrated. 
• Scionti said the "ice cube" orchids are a marketing ploy, and the care should follow the same guidelines as other houseplants.

 is not-for-profit full service garden center that trains and employs children and and adults with developmental disabilities.   They grow and sell flower arrangements such as custom-made hanging baskets, window boxes and, wedding floral arrangements and wreaths.

The center also provides summer lawn maintenance and is currently available for spring yard clean-ups estimates. To schedule an estimate, call the center at 401-846-7911.