Discussing Flower Care and Longevity
After selecting the flowers, the customer asks the florist for advice on how to care for them, including watering, light, temperature, and tips to maximize their freshness and lifespan.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
trim
To cut off a small part of something, like stems, to make it neat or help it grow better. In flower care, you trim stems to improve water absorption.
diagonally
In a slanted or angled line, not straight across. For flowers, cut stems diagonally so they can take in more water.
absorb
To take in or soak up liquid or nutrients. Flowers absorb water through their stems to stay fresh and healthy.
lukewarm
Water that is neither hot nor cold, but room temperature or slightly warm. Use lukewarm water for flowers because it's easier for them to drink it up.
wilt
When a plant or flower becomes soft and droops because it lacks water or is too hot. Direct sunlight can make flowers wilt quickly.
drafts
Currents of cool air from open windows or doors. Keep flowers away from drafts to prevent them from getting too cold and wilting.
droopy
Hanging down or sagging, like a flower that is tired or needs water. If flowers look droopy, they might need reviving.
submerge
To put something completely under water. For droopy flowers, submerge them to refresh and revive them.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Trim about an inch off the bottoms of the stems diagonally.
This sentence gives a practical instruction using the imperative form 'trim' for advice. It's useful when asking for or giving care tips; the word 'diagonally' shows how to do it correctly to help water absorption.
This helps them absorb water better.
A simple explanatory sentence using 'helps' to show cause and effect. Useful for explaining why we do something in care routines; practice it to describe benefits in everyday advice.
Remove any leaves below the water line too, to prevent bacterial growth.
This uses 'to' for purpose (prevent something bad). It's practical for hygiene tips; the infinitive phrase explains the reason, common in instructional English.
Tap water is fine, but lukewarm water is actually best as it's easier for the stems to draw up.
A comparative sentence with 'but' for contrast and 'as' for reason. Useful when recommending options; it teaches polite suggestions and why one is better.
Change the water every two days, or daily if it looks cloudy.
This shows frequency with 'every two days' and conditional 'if' for alternatives. Great for routine instructions; use it to give flexible advice in care or maintenance talks.
Keep them in a cool spot, away from direct sun, drafts, and ripening fruit.
Imperative advice with prepositions like 'away from' for locations. Practical for describing ideal conditions; the list structure helps remember multiple tips easily.
If any blooms start to look a little droopy, you can try giving them a 'flower bath.'
A conditional sentence with 'if' for situations and 'can try' for suggestions. Useful for troubleshooting; it introduces creative fixes like the 'flower bath' idiom for reviving plants.