Unpack the flowers immediately.
Trim 1/'2 to 1 inch from the end of each
stem.
Place the flowers in a clean vase with clean water.
Wet flower
heads and foliage daily to prevent dehydration.
Keep flowers away from heat
sources and air conditioning ducts.
If heliconias or birds of paradise are
supplied to you in a closed condition, open one or two flowers by hand from their
protective bracts or spathe.
Bird of paradise should be stored at temperatures
above 45 degrees F, while gingers and heliconias should not be stored below 65
degrees F.
To prevent gingers from bending, you'll want to hold them vertically.
Good
news. These flowers aren't ethylene sensitive.
The bird of paradise's tendency
to produce a lot of nectar can sometimes lead to mold growth on the flower. This
mold can be removed easily by washing the flower with plain warm, soapy water
and rinsing with clean water.