The show first took place in 1852 when it was called The Royal Horticultural Society's Great Spring Show, and is now attended by 157,000 visitors per year (restricted by the capacity of the venue). This year, the show takes place from Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 May and on whatever day you go, you are sure to be impressed by the beautiful displays, arrangements and floral art demonstrations, and possibly inspired to be a little artistic yourself. Tuesday and Wednesday are reserved for members of the Royal Horticultural Society, who also receive discounted tickets, while the other days are open to all - the ticket price for entry is £36. Remember that all tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be available at the gate. Click here (http://www.rhs.org.uk/events/chelsea2005.asp) for more information on the Chelsea Flower Show. And when everyone has gone home? Afterwards, you may want to decorate your own home with something floral. A trip down to the local garden centre will give you plenty of ideas and offer a wide variety of familiar and exotic plants. Pot plants With pot plants it is important to feed them just the right amount of water - too much can be just as dangerous as too little. A good tester is to push your finger down into the soil until about the first joint. If the soil feels damp then do not water, but if it feels dry then definitely do! The water you use should be at room temperature, as hot or cold water will shock and damage the plants. In fact, temperature is one of the most important factors in maintaining a houseplant. Although plants have their own individual needs (which will probably be indicated on the pot when you buy them) most enjoy a temperature between 15ºC and 25ºC. Bouquets If you are given a bouquet of flowers as a gift, you want to keep them looking good for as long as possible, but they require some different treatment. Firstly, cut off any stems that will be below the line of your vase, and cut the stalks diagonally so that they can absorb nutrients and water more easily. Put them in a vase that is about half the height of the flowers (to ensure that they stay upright) and place it a cool place, free of drafts and direct sources of heat. Give the flowers a little top-up every day, totally replacing the water every four or five days. Do not put them on televisions, radiators or near light bulbs. In hot weather, spray the bouquet with a refreshing mist of water. With a little care and plenty of water, you can keep flowers looking bright and decorative for a long time.