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How do we care for the beautiful flowers and plants that we purchase for ourselves or are given to us as gifts?

On our broadcast today, Joe Hewitt, part-owner of Akiko’s Floral Arts in Wellsboro answered those questions giving us great solutions!

When caring for fresh flowers Joe recommended cutting and changing the water every few days using cooler water instead of warm. He also said that you could store them in a cooler area to keep them longer.

Joe encouraged watering our plants once or twice a week and fertilizing during spring and summer during the growing season. Most house plants prefer to be in indirect light and remain in the same place to flourish. If you see that the plant has a bug or does not look healthy you can spray the plant with rubbing alcohol. It dries quickly not harming the leaves. Keeping our plants healthy aids in us being healthy!

One famous NASA experiment, published in 1989, found that indoor plants can scrub the air of cancer-causing volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde and benzene. Generally, plants in our home or office through photosynthesis convert the carbon dioxide we exhale into fresh oxygen, and yes they can also remove toxins from the air we breathe!

In this broadcast video, the four plants in the ceramic containers (with the art of vegetables on the sides) on the table were a snake plant, bamboo palm, philodendron, and dieffenbachia. The snake plant is a wonderful addition to our homes for most rooms because they do not need a lot of light or water to survive. This plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen during the night so placing in a bedroom is a healthy choice. The second plant is the bamboo palm which made NASA’s list of top clean-air plants with a purifying score of 8.4! It’s also particularly effective at clearing out benzene and trichloroethylene. Our third plant is the heart-shaped philodendron which is easy to care for and can grow decorative vines. Like the English ivy, they are particularly good at absorbing xylene. They can also last for many years if cared for properly. The fourth plant is Dieffenbachia. Dieffenbachia removes not only formaldehyde but also xylene and toluene – two other pollutants.

One of the blooming plants shown today on the broadcast is the Orchid. They’re effective at removing xylene from the air and releasing oxygen at night, making them a good bedroom plant too! They do not like their feet wet so place a few ice-cubes in the pot and after they melt pour off the water.

Stop in to see Joe and his staff at Akiko’s located at 31 East Avenue in Wellsboro or give them a call at 570- 724 -1509. They would be glad to answer any of your floral questions!

For more information, you can also please visit Akiko’s Facebook page here.

A brief history of Akiko’s: Over 40 years ago, Akiko, Joe’s mother, began the floral shop in her home at 40 Central Ave. Joe, the youngest of her eight children returned home 13 years ago to help the family business. He is enjoying the opportunity to use his creative gifts in floral designing. When asked about moving back, he responded, ” Wellsboro is my hometown, a nice and quiet place. Being a florist is busy, and very hectic during the holidays but during the laid back times, it is good to be with the family.