Soft-stemmed flower care recommendations

To keep flowers looking their best for as long as possible, it is important to know the care specifics of each type:
- Recommendations for caring for flowers fed with "Char Voda" can be found here.
- General flower care recommendations can be found here.
- Recommendations for caring for bulb plants (tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and others) can be found here.
- Recommendations for rose care can be found here.

Soft-stemmed flowers — grace that needs gentleness

Gerberas, alstroemerias, and calla lilies are flowers whose stems have no rigid frame, but a great deal of refinement and sensitivity to their surroundings. Their delicate beauty is a brief moment unless the right conditions are created. Soft stems quickly lose their firmness without water, break at the slightest pressure, and are easily affected by bacteria. Caring for these flowers is not just a recommendation — it is essential if their grace is to last as long as possible.

General care for soft-stemmed flowers: calla lilies, gerberas, alstroemerias

I. Flowers need moisture, like thirsty earth after rain.

After buying calla lilies, gerberas, or alstroemerias, do not delay the water — place the flowers in a vase within 30 minutes if you can. Soft stems are especially sensitive to moisture loss and quickly lose their firmness.
Calla lilies are particularly vulnerable — without water they break under the weight of their own flower.

II. Fresh water and a clean vase are the foundation of care.

A clean vase and fresh water at room temperature are the first things to prepare.
• Calla lilies: the water should cover only 1/10 of the stem height — too much liquid can make the flower break under its own weight.
• Gerberas and alstroemerias: the water level should be about 1/4 of the stem, enough moisture without the risk of rotting.

Why this matters

Too much water is a path to rot for soft stems. Because of their thin structure they absorb moisture easily, but they cannot “hold” it the way firmer plants can.

III. A proper cut is the key to fresh flowers.

Before placing the flowers in water, trim the stems by 2–3 cm with a sharp knife or secateurs:
• Calla lilies — make a straight cut with a sharp knife.
• Gerberas and alstroemerias — cut at a 45° angle to increase the surface that takes up moisture.

Always trim immediately before placing the flowers in water, so that no more than a minute passes between the fresh cut and the water. This prevents an air lock inside the stem that would stop the flowers from taking up moisture. Trim the stems immediately before they go into the water, otherwise the capillaries fill with air and the flowers cannot “drink”.

IV. Daily care is the key to lasting beauty.

Soft-stemmed flowers need special attention every day:

• change the water every day,
• wash the vase,
• recut the stems.

This prevents bacteria from multiplying and helps the flowers stay fresh for longer.

V. Fallen leaves in the water are a hidden threat to the flowers

Leaves that fall into the water break down quickly and create a breeding ground for bacteria. For soft-stemmed flowers this is especially dangerous, because the structure of the stem lets bacteria travel deep inside. Always remove fallen leaves and leave only what is needed on the upper part of the flower.

VI. The secret of freshness is the right flower food

Gerberas and alstroemerias respond well to bouquet preservatives.
• Add preservative to the water each time you change it.
• Instead of changing the water every day, you can change it once every 3–4 days if you add preservative according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Do not exceed the dose — it can soften the stems.

VII. Avoid sudden temperature changes.

Soft stems are very sensitive to temperature swings.
• Keep the flowers away from heat and cold that affect their freshness — radiators, air conditioners, draughts, and direct sunlight.
• The best temperature for keeping flowers is from +5 to +20°C.
• Soft-stemmed flowers are especially sensitive to overheating — place them in a cool, stable spot.

Please note:

• Sudden temperature changes greatly shorten the life of flowers, especially in winter. In freezing temperatures, flowers need protection so they do not get too cold. Before going outside, wrap the bouquet carefully in paper or cellophane to hold some warmth and shield it from the frosty air. Even when wrapped, do not keep flowers in the frost for more than 15 minutes, because low temperatures make the petals and stems lose their firmness. Flowers that have been too cold wilt quickly and cannot be revived, so in cold weather it is important to keep the bouquet outdoors for as little time as possible.
• If during transport the flowers will be without water for a long time, use aqua boxes or special moisture holders (“diapers” for flowers) so the stems do not dry out. This is especially important in hot weather and in frost, when plants lose moisture faster. If the bouquet will be given somewhere it cannot be placed in a vase quickly (for example, in a restaurant or at an event), an arrangement in floral foam (oasis) is a better choice. It keeps the flowers fresh without the need to find a container of water right away.
• Do not place the bouquet next to fruit — fruit releases ethylene, which speeds up blooming and wilting.
• These care recommendations are a guide and depend on storage conditions.
• Camellia is not responsible for the transport or storage of flowers after they have been handed to the customer if the flowers then spoil.

Flowers give us special moments — from the first look at a tender bud to the last light scent left in the air. Careful care helps them live longer and keeps their colours bright and their petals clean.

“Create moments” of beauty that do not fade, but last longer — together with your favourite flowers.

Materials from this website may be used only with a link to the Camellia company page — https://camellia.ua/