• Upon receiving a bouquet of cut flowers, immediately remove the wrappings. Mix the flower food following the directions on the package with tepid water (65-75 degrees). Only use a vase that has been cleaned with detergent to remove bacteria. Remove any greenery that will be below the water line as this will promote bacterial growth in the water and shorten the life span of the flowers.
  
• Be sure to cut the flowers with a sharp knife or clippers before placing them in the vase. It is preferable to do this under-water. 
   
• Cut flowers should be kept away from sources of heat and water added daily. If the water becomes cloudy, remove the water and clean the vase with detergent. Prepare a fresh solution of flower food and re-cut the stems again before placing them in the vase. Spent flowers should be removed every few days to extend the beauty of your vase arrangement.

To enjoy your roses to the fullest, it is very important that you follow these steps:

• Mix the flower food packet according to directions.
• Add this water to a vase that is large enough to accommodate your roses.
• Remove the cellophane and water tubes that are on the bottom of the roses.
• Place the roses in a sink or bucketful of tepid or slightly warm water that is at least 4 inches deep.
• Re-cut the stems with a sharp knife at an angle.
• Allow the roses to stand in the water for about 10 minutes before transferring them to the vase. If you need to adjust the length of any rose, re-cut it under water as before.
• Do not re-cut roses out of water as this allows an air block to form under the rose head which will cause it to bend over early. If this does happen the rose can be rescued by laying it in a large basin or bathtub of water with two inches of water. Re-cut the stem and weight the rose down with an object to hold it under water. Leave it in the water bath for at least two hours.
• Roses will wilt early if they are placed in the sun, or near sources of heat. Always keep them in a cool location.
• Add water daily as they drink a great deal.

Each plant species has different, specific needs for sunlight, watering and fertilization. Consult a plant care guide for complete instructions. The following instructions are meant only as a general guideline.

	Lighting Flowering potted plants require more light than tropical foliage plants. Foliage plants can thrive under low light conditions or even fluorescent light but natural light is best. Do not place plants in direct sunlight.
	Temperature Plants prefer moderate temperatures, between 65 and 72 degrees.
	Watering and Fertilization Plants should not be allowed to dry out completely or wilt, as this is very stressful. Drying out will often cause the plant to develop diseases or be vulnerable to pests. However, it is very important to not let plants stand in water, this causes root rot. Avoid wetting the leaves, particularly with any velvety textured plants such as African Violets. All plants require fertilization during active growing periods. Typically, weekly in the summer and once a month in the winter. Be sure to follow the dilution instructions for any fertilizer that you use.