Fast Facts About Tropicals

Long-lasting Hawaiian tropicals -- heliconias, gingers and exotics -- come in a rainbow of shapes and sizes. In fact, tropicals range in length from six inches to six feet and in tone from the deepest coral to the richest orange. What this means is an unsurpassed selection of bold lines and vibrant colors.

To help their luster last, here's the best way to treat tropicals. Unpack the flowers immediately. Trim 1/'2 to 1 inch from the end of each stem. Place the flowers in a clean vase with clean water. Wet flower heads and foliage daily to prevent dehydration. Keep flowers away from heat sources and air conditioning ducts. If heliconias or birds of paradise are supplied to you in a closed condition, open one or two flowers by hand from their protective bracts or spathe. Bird of paradise should be stored at temperatures above 45 degrees F, while gingers and heliconias should not be stored below 65 degrees F. To prevent gingers from bending, you'll want to hold them vertically. Good news. These flowers aren't ethylene sensitive. The bird of paradise's tendency to produce a lot of nectar can sometimes lead to mold growth on the flower. This mold can be removed easily by washing the flower with plain warm, soapy water and rinsing with clean water.   Tell Your Customers To... Recut stems once. Use clean water -- with or without a floral preservative. Keep flowers away from heat sources, air conditioning drafts, and direct sunlight. Clean vase when changing water. Tropicals have long vase life, up to two weeks.

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