Health Benefits of Fresh Cut Flowers

Having fresh cut flowers from Bloomex in your home does so much more than simply intensify the room’s aesthetic appeal. Check out what you can expect from the simple act of adding flowers to your home.

Flowers enhance your mood.

If you were to give random gifts out to men and women, flowers are the only gift that would receive a true smile (a smile with your mouth, cheeks and eyes) every time. 

Flowers reduce stress.

A group of women were surveyed regarding their stress levels at the beginning and end of a 12-day period. Five days in, each participant received either flowers, a luxury candle or nothing. At the end of the study, the women who received flowers reported improved moods and reduced stress levels. On average, the stress among the flower group was 5.5 points lower on the questionnaire, where the candle group was only 2 points lower and the group with nothing had no change.

Flowers help you “get better soon”.

Lack of humidity in the winter air creates an environment in your body that breeds infections. This is one of the the reasons you see so many people getting the cold and flu throughout winter. Water released naturally by flowers will help with sore throats, dry skin, and heavy dry cough.

Flowers boost your memory.

Seniors performed higher on everyday memory tasks and experienced enriched personal memories in the presence of flowers. Seniors who received flowers re-engaged with members of their communities and enlarged their social contacts to include more neighbors, religious support and medical personnel.

Flowers increase your sex appeal.

A study done in 2010 found that women rated men in videos as sexier when sitting in a room filled with flowers than in one with empty vases. They reported feeling more likely to go out with them. In another study, women were more likely to give their number to a man when standing outside a flower shop.

Flowers are the best bribe. 

Flowers increase a level of compassion that we feel for others. Which means we are more willing to do someone a favour when given flowers first.

 

So, when your not quite sure what you should be doing, buy flowers. There are no studies proving they won’t solve all your problems.. 

Flower of the Month; October

October’s birth flower is the marigold. With its golden blooms so rich and so vibrant, it’s no wonder the marigold is the flower for October.

Marigolds symbolize fierce love, passion and creativity. Marigolds also have a long tradition of being used to heal inflammation and skin problems.

Cultures all over the world have used marigolds for treating various health ailments, dying fabrics, creating cosmetics and seasoning foods!

Marigold flowers can be eaten and are used in salads or as a substitute for saffron. The same antioxidant carotenoids that creates marigold’s captivating color, also provides positive health benefits, such as lowering the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer.

Marigold is also a natural insect repellent. It’s strong small helps keep bugs away from vegetable gardens or having potted plant close to a window or door will keep flies and mozzies out of your home.

Spend World Cat Day with Bloomex

International Cat Day is a celebration which takes place on 8 August, every year. It was created in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare. 

 

International Cat Day is also referred to as World Cat Day in some countries and since it’s inception, it has been growing worldwide. National Cat Day is an awareness day to raise awareness for homeless cats. 

 

We want to give you a few plants to steer clear of if you have cats or are sending gifts to cat friendly homes!

 

Lilies. Many species the Lilium family are highly toxic to cats. Ingestion of very small amounts of many types of lilies, such as Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Easter, Stargazer, and the Casa Blanca can cause kidney failure in cats.

 

Marijuana. Ingestion of Cannabis Sativa can cause cats to vomit, have diarrhea, drool, get an increased heart rate, and even experience seizures or a coma. A great alternative without killing the buzz is Catnip!

 

Sago Palm. Every part of this plant is poisonous, but the seeds or “nuts” contain the largest amount of toxin. The ingestion of just one or two seeds can result in very serious effects, which include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.

 

Tulip/Narcissus Bulbs. The bulb portions of Tulips and Narcissus contain toxins that can cause loss of appetite, intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, convulsions, depression of the central nervous system and cardiac abnormalities.

 

Azalea. Members of the Rhododenron family contain toxins which can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system in cats. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to death from heart failure.

 

Oleander. All parts of Nerium Oleander are considered to be toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause serious effects including gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.

 

Castor Bean. The seeds from the castor bean plant, Ricinus communis, are poisonous to people, animals and insects. These seeds can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, abdominal pain, drooling, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in death.

 

Cyclamen. If consumed, Cylamen can produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported in some cases.

 

Chrysanthemum. These popular blooms may produce gastrointestinal upset, including drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, if eaten. In certain cases depression and loss of coordination may also develop if enough of any part of the plant is consumed.

 

English Ivy. Also called sweetheart ivy and California ivy, branching ivy, glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, Hedera helix that, if ingested, can result in vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea.

 

Peace Lily. These species can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest.

 

Pothos. Pothos (both Scindapsus and Epipremnum) belongs to the Araceae family. If chewed or ingested, this popular household plant can cause significant mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

 

Schefflera. Schefflera can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in cats who ingest.

 

Check out these amazing selections of cat friendly gifts you can get for your cat friendly home!

 

There are so many options, remember your fur-babies when you are choosing your plants and flowers!

 

Bloomex Celebrates National Friendship Day

Friendship day has been celebrated worldwide on the first Sunday in August, however, the UN announced, in 2011, official international friendship day is July 30th.

A well known tradition follows giving yellow and pink roses to your friends, to express your appreciation for them. Check out this gorgeous pink and yellow rose bouquet that is currently half off!

The finest way to display your admiration to your friends and make them feel very special on this international friendship day is by gifting them something that makes them smile. And who doesn’t love flowers?!

There is no better way than to celebrate your friendships on this dedicated date! Whether it is for a new friend or a life long one, we have the perfect gifts for you!

Check out these beautiful Fresh Cut Flowers available for same day or next day delivery. Pink and Yellow are the colours of friendship, put one of these beautiful bouquets in your cart TODAY!

Simply Sweet with pastel yellow carnations and roses, hints of lavender daisies and pops of soft pink lilies. Teddy Bear Bouquet artistically designed with different tones of hot pink, yellow and green blooms, featuring a cute teddy! Blissful Symphony complete with hot pink roses and carnations with gorgeous golden yellow accents. You can’t go wrong with these bouquets!

Simply Sweet

Teddy Bear Bouquet

Blissful Symphony

Flowers are not their thing? Check our these delicious Gift Hampers, hunker down with one (or all) of these options! Wine Lovers Basket including 8 delicious gourmet snacks with a bottle of Red and White Wine. Beer Sampler Basket including XXXX Gold, Victoria Bitter, Carlton Draught with an assortment of 5 salty treats. Chocolate Supreme contains 10 sweet chocolaty gourmet items similar to Belgium Truffles, Chocolate Cookies, Milk Chocolates, Dark Chocolates, Fudge and MORE!

So don’t wait! Choose out the perfect gift for your best friends and place your order TODAY!!

Creative Flower Containers For Your Bloomex Flowers

There are few things better than dressing up your home with beautiful fresh flowers. Flowers add instant charm and colour, brightening the simplest space and cheering even the dullest day. If you are lucky enough to receive a fresh Bloomex flower bouquet, you can add a unique twist and even more impact by choosing a creative container to display them in. Best of all, many amazing options are probably right in your own kitchen! Think outside the box or enhance a decorating theme with an interesting choice.

Sweet and Traditional

If you receive beautiful roses or a bouquet of sweet mixed blooms such as carnations, alstroemeria and adorable daisies, consider setting them in a pretty tea pot. If you are hosting a brunch you could even consider taking the bouquet apart, trimming the stems, and displaying your flowers on a vintage cake stand. A cake display, a cookie jar, a pitcher, anything you can make watertight is an option.

Modern Elegance

For bouquets with a more modern edge, such as a monochromatic display of lilies or a mix of daisies, roses and gerberas. Get creative with clear plastic boxes, simple rectangular containers that have clean lines, and consider containers with metallic finishes such as gold or silver.

Boho Chic

If you love “shabby chic” design, displaying your bouquet in a watering can, tin pail, bird cage or bucket is a great way to reinforce your theme. Hydrangeas and daisies would be well suited to this kind of look. In the spring, even a pair of pretty rain boots makes a creative container!

Divide and Conquer

Another wonderful way to display your flowers is to separate the bouquet into a series of smaller bud vases, wine glasses, tea cups or anything else that appeals to you. The best flowers for this would be spray roses or gerberas.

Edible Inspiration

Another kitchen-inspired way to display your flowers involves using food items. Set a smaller vase, a watertight, cleaned-out soup can, or any other watertight container inside a watermelon or pumpkin and you have instant “wow” factor! Add slices of lemon or lime to a clear vase, pitcher or other clear container to add a designer look to your bouquet for a low budget. Any bright vibrant blooms would work best for this design!

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! A quick search around your kitchen or home can yield amazing new ways to make your flowers fit your taste and personality, and amplify the beauty of your bouquet.

Bloomex Tips: How to Make Your Flowers Last

What is not to love about receiving gorgeous fresh-cut flowers! Once your flowers arrive, you want to enjoy their beauty as long as possible. How to make them last?

 

Firstly, be sure to use a clean vase! Wash it thoroughly to kill microorganisms that may be lurking from the last use, bacteria lead to yucky water and dying flowers. Trim the flower stems– a 45 degree angle is best, try to use a sharp knife to provide a clean cut, and do it under running water if you can. Remove any leaves that will be submerged in your water. Use water that is cool, not too hot or too cold. Don’t place your beautiful blooms in direct sunlight. Change the water daily.

Now to feed and protect, add the packet of preservative packet to the vase water before you add the flowers. But what if you toss the packet by mistake, and what do you do in the days to come? There are a few common household items that you can use to boost flower longevity (some may surprise you!):

Soda: Add a few splashes of clear soda to your vase water. Soda is refreshing for you, and yummy for the flowers.

 

Apple Cider Vinegar: Add two tablespoons of cider vinegar and two tablespoons of sugar to your vase water before you add the flowers. This will help feed and preserve your beautiful blooms.

 

Aspirin: Crush one aspirin and add it to the vase water before you add the flowers. Roses especially will benefit from the acidity.

Vodka: Yes, you can add a few drops of vodka (or other clear spirits) with one teaspoon of sugar to the vase water. The vodka is thought to help kill harmful bacteria while the sugar provides food for the plants.

Coins: Add a penny plus one cube of sugar to the vase water for the same effect. The copper of the penny is thought to inhibit the bacterial growth.

With a little rummage around the house, you can boost the life of your flowers and enjoy them as long as possible!