Everybody loves having fresh flowers in their home, but in the UAE, they tend to die off quite quickly. On average, how long should a fresh bunch of flowers last? Is there anything that can be done to extend their shelf life and where is the best place to display them?
This depends on many different things. Firstly, it depends on the quality of the flowers you're buying. In the fresh flower industry, you have three grades of quality, and the level of quality depends on the strength of the grower. Throughout history, we have had famous growers such as David Austin, a renowned English rose breeder whose roses are usually the best quality, and known as "triple-A grade". If you purchase triple-A grade quality flowers, you can usually expect them to last anywhere between ten to 14 days. However, some botanicals can last up to four weeks and others even up to six weeks. It really depends on the variety and the type of flowers.
If you want to prolong the life of the flowers, what you have to do is change the water daily, because it will begin to carry bacteria, which eventually kills the flowers. Not only should you change the water, but you should clean the vase with bleach to make sure all of the bacteria is gone. Many people ask: "Should I put sugar in the water?" I don't recommend it. We have created a product called "Flower Food" and it has the correct amount of essential ingredients needed to prolong the life of the flowers.
Also, it is important to keep the flowers away from heat, and away from direct cold air from the air conditioning. Basically, if possible, try to keep them at room temperature.
I'd say the best place for flowers is in the living room, at the dining room table or at the entrance to your house.
Ebraheem Al Samadi, chief executive, Forever Rose, www.foreverrose.ae, @foreverroselondon
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Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
RESULTS
Argentina 4 Haiti 0
Peru 2 Scotland 0
Panama 0 Northern Ireland 0
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