What “warum ist das so” means, with practical flower answers
The German phrase “warum ist das so” means “why is that?” or, more literally, “why is it like that?” It asks for the reason behind something already mentioned; the phrase itself has no particular connection to flowers. If you encountered it while looking for flower advice, the useful next step is to identify the specific custom, care instruction or delivery detail you want explained.
At Pyat Tsvetov (5 Flowers), customers ask why rose heads droop, why stem numbers matter in Russia and how to arrange a gift from another country. These questions need different answers: some concern plant care, others depend on cultural expectations or the recipient’s schedule. We have been serving customers since 2011 and have three own flower shops in Saint Petersburg, so this guide approaches those decisions as practical conversations at the flower counter.
Using the phrase: ask for the reason behind a specific detail
In German, “warum” means “why”, while “ist das so” means roughly “is that so” or “is it that way”. Together, the words form a request for an explanation, rather than an expression of thanks or a greeting. For example, someone might first hear that a Russian birthday bouquet usually contains an odd number of flowers, then reply “Warum ist das so?” In English, “Why is that?” is the natural response in the same conversation.
If you are writing a gift card, this phrase usually needs some context to make sense. On its own, it leaves the recipient wondering which situation you mean, and its tone may feel curious, puzzled or challenging depending on the surrounding message. For a flower gift, a direct sentence about the occasion is clearer: “Thinking of you on your birthday” or “Thank you for being there for me.” Use the language your recipient finds comfortable, rather than adding German simply because you encountered the phrase in a search.
Why flower numbers matter in Russian gift etiquette
In Russian gift etiquette, an odd number of flowers is customary for happy occasions, while an even number is traditionally associated with mourning. This distinction is particularly noticeable in small bouquets where individual stems are easy to count. For a birthday, a thank-you or a romantic gesture, an odd count is the straightforward choice when selecting a clearly numbered bunch. The custom is a social convention, not a rule about how flowers grow or how long they last.
Counting becomes less obvious in a mixed arrangement with branching stems and several kinds of flowers, so avoid treating every visible bloom as a separate unit. If the recipient follows Russian traditions closely, make your intention and occasion clear when discussing the order. Colour preferences also deserve attention: yellow flowers are sometimes linked with separation in popular belief, but that association is not universal. A recipient who loves yellow tulips may appreciate them more than a supposedly correct colour chosen without considering their taste.
Bouquets we can deliver
Why cut flowers droop, and what to do first
Cut flowers still lose water through their leaves and petals, while their stems must take up water from the vase. Drooping can develop when that balance is disrupted by time without water, dirty vase water or impaired uptake through the stem. Appearance alone does not identify the exact cause, and a bent flower head is not proof of one particular handling mistake. Start with basic care rather than trying several household remedies at once.
Wash the vase, fill it with fresh water and remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline. Recut the stem ends with a clean, sharp tool before placing the flowers in water, and use cut-flower food according to its packet instructions if you have it. Check the water daily, top it up as needed and replace it when it becomes cloudy or dirty. Remove deteriorating stems promptly; do not add bleach, sugar or other improvised mixtures without reliable instructions for the flowers concerned.
Why placement and flower variety change the result
A bouquet beside a radiator or in strong direct sunlight loses water more quickly than one in a cooler position away from heat. Moving it to a suitable spot is often a more useful first step than repeatedly rearranging the stems. Keep flowers away from ripening fruit, which can release ethylene that accelerates ageing in sensitive varieties. During cold weather, limit exposure outdoors and avoid leaving the bouquet where it could freeze; there is no single safe outdoor temperature for every flower.
Different flowers also change shape differently after cutting, so movement does not always mean damage. Tulip stems can continue elongating and curve towards light, while some other flowers retain a more fixed outline. Choose a stable vase that supports the stems without forcing them tightly together, and leave room for blooms to open. Ask for guidance suited to the actual flowers rather than assuming that care advice for roses applies unchanged to every mixed bouquet.
Choosing the gesture before choosing the bouquet
Begin with the relationship and the occasion, then consider colour, size and the recipient’s surroundings. Red roses commonly suggest romance, but flower meanings are cultural associations rather than a language everyone interprets identically. For a colleague, a thank-you gift or a family celebration, the recipient’s preferences provide a firmer guide than a symbolic colour chart. If you know they dislike a strong fragrance or have limited space, let that shape the choice before focusing on visual impact.
A brief card helps explain the gesture, especially when flowers arrive without an in-person conversation. With us, a card carrying your text is free, and delivery is anonymous by default: the courier does not name the sender. If you want the recipient to know who sent the flowers, include your name in the card text. You can start with the bouquets catalogue, keeping the occasion and the message in mind as you compare arrangements.
Ordering flowers to Russia from abroad: timing and checkout
We deliver flowers across Russia, with city delivery costing 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs, the operator confirms the delivery price when confirming the order. In large cities, express delivery is available within 1–2 hours after the order is confirmed. Other timing options include an exact time with a tolerance of plus or minus 30 minutes, windows of 09–12, 12–15, 15–18 or 18–21, and pre-ordering 1–30 days ahead. Saint Petersburg delivery operates around the clock; check the delivery and payment information when planning your order.
Before ordering from another country, check the recipient’s address, telephone number and availability against the delivery city’s local time. The courier calls about 15 minutes before arrival; if the recipient is absent, we agree a second delivery that day or, with the sender’s consent, hand the flowers to a neighbour or concierge. Online checkout uses CloudPayments, so check the payment options displayed there rather than assuming a foreign-issued card will be accepted. For questions, call 8 (812) 507-67-05.
Frequently asked questions
Does “warum ist das so” mean something about flowers?
No. It is a German question meaning “why is that?” or “why is it like that?”, and its subject comes from the surrounding conversation.
Should a birthday bouquet in Russia have an odd number of flowers?
An odd number is the customary choice for a happy occasion, particularly in a small bouquet of countable stems. Even numbers are traditionally associated with mourning.
Will the recipient know who sent the flowers?
Delivery is anonymous by default, and the courier does not name the sender. Include your name in the free card text if you want the recipient to recognise the gift.
Can I pay for an order with a foreign bank card?
Online checkout uses CloudPayments. Check the options displayed at checkout, because acceptance of every foreign-issued card cannot be guaranteed.
What happens if the recipient is out?
We agree a second delivery the same day or arrange to hand the flowers to a neighbour or concierge with the sender’s consent. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival.
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