Flowers
Flowers are used in a lot of occasions to send different messages. They are used to send general messages of love, to console or comfort, or congratulate in case of achievement. Other than sending general messages, each flower has a different meaning that why it is always advisable to send the flowers together with a written card to explain your thoughts. For example, the red rose sends a message of love and desire.
Sending flowers to Hong Kong may be a daunting process and experience for some people. This guide will help you to send flowers to Hong Kong by discussing a few general tips that will make your shipping process easy. Let’s get started
Know Hong Kong customs
Before you send flowers to Hong Kong make sure you know all the prohibited goods and their shipping restrictions. It wise to do simple research and find out whether it is legal to send flowers.
Also, make sure you know if there are any special procedures or arrangements needed before shipping. Since the Hong Kong list of prohibited goods is changed regularly, it recommended rechecking the list before shipping.
Choose long-lasting flowers
One of the oldest traditions of sending flowers is to make sure you choose a long-lasting variety. Make sure you choose the flowers you choose will stand all the shipping process and still be beautiful and fresh when they get to their respective owners.
You not only want the recipient to enjoy the flowers for a day or two but instead, you want them to enjoy the flowers for weeks. This will help enhances your emotional attachment and in some instances, it helps in creating a strong bond between you and the recipient.
Hong Kong custom fees and tax rates
The taxation varies from country to country depending on it VAT/GST, the declared value of the item. In Hong Kong, the customs fee is calculated using CIF. This means that the import duty and tax are calculated based on the shipping cost as well as the value of the goods being imported. It is wise to keep in mind about these costs to avoid unnecessary costs.
Packaging instructions
When sending any package in any country you must follow some instructions depending on the nature of the goods. For instance, because flowers are highly perishable, make sure you indicate that the goods are perishable for them to be handled with extreme care. This will make sure that your flowers to the expected person in good condition.
Make your timing right
Most of Hong Kong’s moms are career moms. This makes delivery directly in homes daunting. If you have to send flowers directly at the home of the recipient, make sure the recipient is home to receive the flowers.
If the only option is to deliver the flowers in the workplace, make sure the receptionist is available to receive the flowers on behalf of the recipient. This way you will be sure the flowers will be taken care of and kept in good condition.
Consider transport
Sending a large bouquet brightens the day of the recipient and adds a smile on their face. However this is a gesture that symbolizes love and care, it may be encompassed by several challenges one of them is the way to take the flowers home.
In Hong Kong, most people either use public transport or drive a small car. These modes of transport are inappropriate when it comes to taking a large bouquet home. It will be wise to consider the mode of transportation before sending flowers to Hong Kong.
Keep allergies into considerations
Flowers are deemed as a way to relieve stress and rejuvenate your mood. However, some flowers may provoke some allergic reactions in some people. It is only wise that you consider if the recipient is allergic to any type of flowers before sending the
For instance, flowers like sunflowers, lilies, dusty miller, and jasmine are known to have a lot of pollen counts. This may lead to a continuous sneezing and a running nose to the recipient with allergic reactions.
Flowers are highly perishable and need special care and attention. The following are the ways that you can take care of freshly cut flowers so that they remain beautiful and fresh.
Checking your flowers regularly
Check your flower daily and ensure that the container or the vase is filled with fresh water. Regardless of whether the container or the vase is filled with floral foam, regularly observe the volume of the water to promote the growth of the flower.
In case you change the water, clean the vase thoroughly before filling the vase with fresh water mixed with flower food. Flower food helps to keep your flower nourished and keep the bacteria away which hinders the flower from absorbing the required nutrients.
Hydrate the petals
High temperatures highly affect and reduce the life of fresh flowers. High temperature increases the metabolism of the flower. For fresh flowers to stay longer store them in temperatures between 34 and 38 degrees Faradays.
Regularly hydrate the petals by spraying fresh cold water mixed with softeners. However, sodium should not be used in all flowers since it may reduce the life of some flowers. For travel, flowers spray fresh cold water mixed with flower food to rejuvenate the flower.
Feed the flowers
Like other plants, fresh flowers need food to survive. You can feed your fresh flowers with sugary drinks which act as the energy source to keep flowers fresh. Also, use stem unpluggers which help to lower the pH and avoid stem plugging.
Make sure you include acidifiers in the flower food which lowers pH of the water thus increasing the nutrients
Cutting the stem
Cut at least an inch of the stem after cleaning the vase or changing the water. Make sure to use sharp clippers or knife to avoid crushing the stem which may cause wounds. The cut should be slanted to avoid the stem settling at the bottom of the vase, this may cause decaying or even death of the flower. The cut gives more room for nutrients and allows hydration.
Remove the decaying leaves
Leaves that are always in the water deteriorate and die fast. These leaves act as a medium for fungi or bacteria that hinders hydration thus causing death. Carefully and gently remove the leaves without injuring the flower because fungi and bacteria may enter the flower through the open wounds.
Avoid heat and direct sunlight
Your fresh flowers will last longer you keep them at room temperature. Keep the flowers away from direct sunlight and heat-generating appliances. Also avoid ceiling fans, cooling and heating vents, and open windows because they make fresh flowers dehydrate easily. Most fundamentally, keep your flowers away from ripening fruits because ethylene gas in small amounts, the gas reduces the life of your flowers.
Refrigerate the flowers
Lastly, it is advisable to keep the flowers on the fridge every night. Make sure they remain in the fridge for 8 or more hours. This is because flowers live longer when in cool temperatures.
Mothers day is celebrated all over the world. Even though it varies from country to country, it has the same significant meaning which is appreciating and making our mothers feel special. This is mostly done by sending flowers; these flowers not only symbolize the love we have for our mothers but also the significance and impact they have in our lives. This tradition of giving flowers started in England in the 17th century where people attended a Mothering Sunday in the honor and appreciation of the Virgin Mary. The people in attendance would then give their own mothers flowers to appreciate them. Lets us sample some best flowers that we can give to our mothers
Tulips
Tulips are beautiful flowers that come in different colors. There are red, white, and purple each with a different meaning. The red tulip symbolizes love and affection, the white tulip is a sign of an apology while the purple tulips send a message of loyalty. Tulips can be a great option to give to your mom on mother’s day.
Peony
These are undeniably beautiful flowers that come in different beautiful shades of red, white, pink, and rarely purple. Each shade sends a different message from wishing someone a happy marriage to good fortune. These flowers are not only appropriate during mother’s day but can also be a good option if you want to appreciate your father.
Roses
Traditionally mothers would be gifted with red roses to symbolize love. There is a wide variety of shades to choose from. You can either choose the red, white, pink, and cream shade. During mother’s day, you can choose to gift your mother with the pink rose that symbolizes gratitude, affection, and love. You can also choose the white rose which is a sign of purity. All in all, roses are a perfect option for mother’s day.
Carnations
Carnations are beautiful alluring flowers that were first known in 1907. Like the other flowers, carnations come in different shades with different meanings. The white shade symbolizes purity and love while the pink shade symbolizes a mother’s love. Even more importantly, these flowers last longer than other flowers so you can be sure your gift will last longer.
Sending flowers to our friends and families is a tradition that is passed from generation to generation. Even though the message they send may have changed over the years, the significance of the flowers has not changed.