Plus Tutorial for an Easy Arrangement

What you need:

• 1 bunch Charmelia blooms (5 stems-1 cut 12 inches, 1 cut 15.5 inches, 3 cut at 16.5”)

• 1 cylinder vase 7 in. H x 3.4 in. Diam. for 1 vase (purchase here) for 12 vases (purchase here)

• 1 packet of floral food (purchase here)

Tools used:

• small garden shears (purchase here) or regular garden shears (purchase here)

Steps: 3

Flower Cost: $6.99

Rated: Easy Arrangement

Are you tired of cut flowers that last for only 3 days and having to change their water every day? Well here’s the answer for you, a cut flower that lasts 3 weeks! It is called the Charmelia. It is a relative of the Alstroemeria and came on the U.S. flower market in 2014. It looks a little like a miniature Alstroemeria, only it has 2 colors of blooms per stem. Each stem has about 20 small blossoms with the flowers at the bottom a darker rose color and the flowers at the top a lighter blush color. It comes with open blooms but then on about day 13 guess what, the blooms really open up much larger. That was a surprise.

The water doesn’t even get nasty if you don’t change it. So far, these have been in the same water for 2 weeks and the water looks as clear as the day it was poured. You might have to add a little because of evaporation and the flowers drinking it. If you want to work with larger flowers, the Charmelia can be used as a filler and it will help keep the water fresh for a mixed arrangement.

I had a hard time finding it at the L.A. Flower Market but there is one vendor there that carries it. Fortunately, Von’s supermarkets carry Charmelia and sell it for only $6.99 a bunch, that’s five stems. If you would like to read more about the Charmelia here are a couple of links.

https://www.royalvanzanten.com/en/news-events/charmelia-on-tour-copy-copy/

http://www.producenews.com/more-floral-articles/floral/22206-charmelia-the-new-long-lasting-flower-that-s-charming-the-u-s-market

By the way, the short cylinder vase used in this arrangement is inexpensive and very versatile. You can buy just one or a quantity of 12. Now if you have your Charmelia and a cylinder vase, let’s begin.