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NZ grown is better bang for buck says leading florist

Thursday 17 September 2009, 3:36PM

By Gemma Collier

1149 views

White orchid
White orchid Credit: Scent Boutique florist
Pink orchid
Pink orchid Credit: Scent Boutique florist
Pink orchid
Pink orchid Credit: Scent Boutique florist
White orchid
White orchid Credit: Scent Boutique florist
Pink orchid
Pink orchid Credit: Scent Boutique florist

Buy New Zealand grown flowers, save money and support the flower growing industry says Scent Boutique florist, Ingrid Pritchard.

 

Ingrid says most locally grown flowers are sold the day or day after they are picked which means the customer can enjoy them for longer.

 

“I source nearly all my flowers from local growers because they are fresh, haven’t been treated with chemicals on entry to the country and they last longer.”

She also noted customers who buy in season save even more money on their floral purchases.

 

“For example, now is the perfect time to buy lilies or orchids. As these plants come in to season, there becomes an abundance of locally-grown flowers which means customers can get better value for money,” Ingrid says.

 

Flower fans can encourage long-lasting blooms by re-cutting the stems and making sure the water is clean every two to three days.

 

“Make sure you place the flowers out of direct sun or heat – for example, not on top of a fireplace.”

 

Ingrid says if someone does want to put their flowers in a warm location, they should advise their florist as tropical, heat-loving stems can be used instead.

 

“If you are giving the flowers to someone with allergies or in a hospital you should also let your florist know. In that case, we would suggest something like an orchid as it has no pollen, which means it doesn’t cause allergies. They are also fragrant-less which can be preferable for people who are ill.”

 

Ingrid says anyone who is unsure on what to buy should simply ask their florist for advice and always try and buy New Zealand grown.