The Melon Dip

Here's what you need:

1. Three musk melons. Not very large.
2. Six long purple orchid stalks.
3. A sharp carver knife.
4. Small 2 inch bits of firm aluminum wire, or wrapping thread (not ribbon)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Slice off the top a bit so that the soft peach flesh is exposed.
2. Cut the 6 stalks of orchids diagonally so that each has a sharp edge.
3. Wrap thin, flat cotton soaked with water around the stem edge.
4. Wrap a piece of transparent plastic around the cotton and then wrap firm wire around the plastic to hold. Or use the thread to tighten the plastic around the cotton.
5. Now your stalk of orchid is strong and firm enough to push into the soft flesh of the exposed melon. Push the orchid stalks in on a slant; this will give a wind swept look to the display.
The contrasting texture of the skin of the melon and the peachy pink flesh used as a natural container, against the contrast with bright purple orchid stalks and you have a masterpiece.
VARIANT:

String faux pearls around the musk melon and decorate
( pic above)

Some candles could be added too. Use the wire to wrap 3 toothpicks onto the candle base and you have a candle stand! This can then be inserted into the melon.

Use two orchids to a melon if the melons are small or more stalks to make a delightfully unique floral display.

For Unique arrangements go to SPRING BLOSSOMS

Weeks of Pleasure with Fresh Flowers

HOW TO KEEP YOUR FLOWERS FRESHER LONGER

Use clean vases of clean water.
Flowers need water - lots of it.  Choose a clean appropriate sized vase that allows the stems a deep well of water.
Cut each stem and arrange in the vase using a commercial floral preservative. If you do not have preservative, plain water is better than any home remedies.
Recut stems and change water often.
You can cut and rearrange your flowers every day to few days - whatever is your pleasure.
I feel that recutting the stems and changing the water frequently is more important than using preservatives.

You may opt to separate your flowers into different groupings and move them into different rooms of your home as the stems get shorter the vase should get smaller.
Finally, when they are coming to the end of their lifecycle, cut the stems 1/2" from the blooms and float them in a bowl of water.
I have often laid blooms and petals on a plate with some candles or in a bed of potpouri to let them dry naturally. Rose petals are especially suitable for this.

Weeks of pleasure.
Using this process I have enjoyed all kinds of flowers for two weeks or longer.

Go to Spring Blossoms to order your flowers now!

National Flower of India

Lotus scientifically known as Nelumbo Nucifera is the National Flower of India. It is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancientIndia and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture since time immemorial. 

The Lotus symbolises divinity, fertility, wealth, knowledge and not to forget enlightenment. 

Lending to its uniqueness, the flower grows in murky waters and rises on a long stalk above the surface to bloom glorious. It is also a symbol of triumph, since the lotus is rooted in the mud and can survive to regerminate for thousands of years. 

It represents long life, honor, and good fortune.

Untouched by the impurity, lotus symbolises the purity of heart and mind. 

Human beings are instructed by Indian scripture to live a life of non-attachment, which is very hard. 

The lotus holds additional significance for Hindus, as it is a symbol of God and used often in religious practices. 

In Indian thought, there is the last and final lotus - Charan Kamal or lotus feet of the Almighty. It was this depth of thought that made the founding fathers of modernIndia enshrine the lotus in the Constitution as the National Flower.

For great flowers go to Spring Blossoms

Flower Gifts

Our favorite gifts are the ones that allow us to express emotions and make us feel special.
They are personal expressions of our feelings for each other.

As a woman I always wonder if men hesitate before sending flowers to the women in their lives.
As I florist I know!

Most men are unsure as to what impact the flowers will have and how much of their emotions they want to reveal.
Actually flowers say it best. The trick is in knowing what to send and not leaving it to the secretary.

Flowers need not be sent only to the significant “other” in your life.
Flowers speak all emotions even when sent to your sister, your mother and also women colleagues.

You might just want to appreciate work well done. You might want to say sorry after unfairly ticking off someone.
It doesn’t matter as long as the flowers you send are appropriate.

Go to SPRING BLOSSOMS for Great Ideas.