Choosing your own flowers – It is best to do this late in the morning or evening if you choose your own flowers. Sugar reserves in the stem are highest in the morning or evening. Ideally, the best time is in the morning when the flower stalks are filled with water after a cold night breeze. You should never take flowers in the middle of the day when the sun is hot.
The heat of the sun reduces the percentage of water in the stem and the flowers do not last long. If it is raining and the flowers are damp, gently stir them to remove excess water. Too much water often damages the flowers – especially the delicate petals.
When to Pick Flowers – Choose when most flowers are in bud or half-open. Then you will be happy to see them slowly opening. The petals should start showing color. If picked too tightly in the bud, they will never open. This is especially true in the case of tulips and roses. The green pointed seals around the pink base should start turning downwards. Irises and daffodils should be half-open. Open the lower three or four florets and pick the gladioli while the top florets are still in bud. Carnations, dahlias, marigolds, hydrangeas, camellias, gerberas, and chrysanthemums should be taken when fully open.
Fill a plastic bucket three-thirds full with warm water. Warm water should be used because flowers take warm water more easily than cold. It is advisable to add a preservative to the water. (Explained further on the use of preservatives). Flowers drink only through the ends of the stem, not on the sides of the stem, so do not fill buckets with water because the leaves left on the stem below the waterline will rot and contaminate the water. It causes bacteria and flowers to die quickly. The leaves of marigolds, chrysanthemums, stock, and daisies send off a particularly strong odor when standing underwater for a while.
Take a bucket full of water to the garden with you. Use sharp paired sectors and cut the flower stalks at an angle – a sloping cut will allow water to absorb well. Remove all leaves from the lower part of the stem that stands below the waterline. Put the flowers in water immediately.
Flowers are never crowded. Allow the necessary air to circulate between each flower. Flowers that are too crowded in a bucket are more likely to have crushed and injured petals. Place the bucket in a cool dark place and allow the flowers to have a long drink before setting. When removing short-stemmed flowers, use a small container.
Conditioning flowers and leaves – Allow the flowers to have a good drink for four and a half hours, overnight before making arrangements. This step is called conditioning. This allows the stem to fill with water and the flowers to become crisp. These flowers are twice as long as those that are not properly conditioned.
Bought flowers – Bought flowers should be placed in lukewarm water as soon as possible. Remove the paper, as paper can injure flowers and cellophane can make them sweat. When the cut flowers are left out of the water for a long time, cells begin to form on the cut ends of the stem, which prevents the stem from absorbing water immediately. To remove this closed part, cut about 2.5 cm (1 “) from the down of the stem, then add the preservative to the water and permit the flowers to have a long drink before arranging.
They can give you flowers when you are away from home. It may be several hours before you can put them in the water. The best way to keep flowers fresh is to keep them in a sturdy plastic bag with some water on the bottom. Secure the bag with a rubber band. Wrapping flowers in a wet newspaper is another method. If traveling by car, keep flowers in a cool place. As soon as you get home, return the stem ends, put them in water, and allow them to condition overnight before setting.
Preservatives – A flower preservative helps kill bacteria in the water. Flower preservatives are available at garden centers or supermarts. Another alternative is to use home bleach in water. If the preservative is not used, the water needs to be changed and the stem cut at an angle on a daily basis. If a preservative is used, the stem does not need to be retrieved and the water is changed only twice a week. Flowers such as freesias, spray carnations and lilies have many buds. By using a preservative in the water, it helps to open the buds.
Special treatment – Some flowers need special treatment to live as long as possible. Flowers with woody stems do not absorb the water immediately. Woody-stemmed flowers include lilac, hydrangea, and rhododendrons. To help break down the thick fibers, you should cut the stem ends about 5 cm apart. (2 “) After this treatment, place the stem during a container crammed with warm water and provides the flowers an extended drink before making arrangements
Flowers with milk stalks – Poppies, poinsettias, and dahlias have a milky fluid flowing through their stems. Close this liquid and place the ends of the stems on a flame like a candle, gas jet, or cigarette lighter, to keep the flowers last. Hold the end of the stem over the flame for thirty seconds until the end of the stem turns black. The flowers should be held at an angle to protect the delicate petals. Another method is to soak the stalks in boiling water for thirty seconds. Keep the flower heads away at an angle and protect the petals from steam by holding the newspaper around the flowers. Put the stem immediately in warm water and give the flowers a long drink before making arrangements. If the item needs to be retrieved later when arranging the flowers, you need to repeat the above steps. To prevent this you can cut the stems to different lengths before closing the stem ends.
Bulb Flowers – Some flowers grow from a bulb. These include tulips, daffodils, jonquils, narcissuses, irises, and hyacinths. These flowers often have a white part at the ends of the stem. Trim this white part before conditioning so that only the green part of the condition can absorb water. Daffodils, jonquils, and narcissuses have a thick sap that protrudes from the end of the stem when cut. Wipe the stem before putting it in water. Keep these flowers separate from other flowers when conditioned as the sap has an effect on other flowers. Thick sap will block the stem ends and prevent water intake. Stem about 7.5 cm. (3 “) Water and permit to face for a minimum of six hours before setting. Bulb flowers prefer shallow water.
Wilted Flowers – Wilted flowers are often restored by placing the stalks up to the flower heads in fairly hot water. Once the water has cooled, allow the flowers to stand in the water for a few hours before forming. Roses can often be seen on the entire stem, head, and all floating for half an hour in warm water.
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