Tips on Cut Flowers

If you want to have lovely flower arrangementsflowers with a sharp knife; placing them quickly in
in your home, you need to care for the flowerscold water almost to the flower heads.
you use. Follow these guidelines to have beautifulOther Flowers
flowers every time.Iris, Daffodils, Calla lilies, Tulips.
Cut your flowers in the morning before the sunThe stems of these flowers may be cut straight
comes up, or in the early evening after it sets.across. Since evaporation occurs quickly, it is
The sun closes the pores of the blossoms,suggested that you wrap the entire units in
preventing the stems from absorbing waternewspaper. Place them in water and put them in
properly. Be sure to use a sharp knife or shearsa dark place over night before arranging.
to avoid bruising stem tissues and leaving raggedWhat to Avoid
edges. Cut steins at an angle. This will provide theDo not keep flowers out of water for any length
stem with a broader surface for absorbing water.of time.
Place your cuttings carefully, in a flat flowerFlowers should not be left in direct sunlight. It
basket, and avoid crowding the blossoms. Plungefades them.
into ice cold water up to the flower head asKeep fingers off blossoms whenever possible.
quickly as possible. This will harden them. IfThe heat of our hands is injurious to them.
necessary, make several trips to and from theDead and wilting flowers ruin the appearance of
flower bed. Long stems and small buds will add tothe arrangement. Remove them.
the beauty of the arrangement.Avoid over crowding in the vase.
Material PreparationHeat and drafts shorten flower life.
Around one third of the foliage should beDo not pile flowers on top of one another.
removed from the stem. Remove all top budsQuick changes in temperature are inadvisable.
which tend to make the stem heavy. Gladioli forHints on Prolonging the Lives of Flowers -
example, have small florets at the top which, ifChange water regularly. (Every day, if possible.)
they do not open, will weigh down the otherRemove all foliage from below the water line.
blossoms by contrasting unpleasantly with theSnip a small bit of the stems off diagonally,
lighter effect of the latter.before placing them into the arrangement. This will
Bleeding stemsretard bacteria growth.
Dahlias, Poppies, Hollyhocks, Poinsettias.Fresh water will keep your flowers garden crisp.
A milky or glue like substance runs from theSprinkle your rose arrangements daily.
stems of these flowers when cut. To stop thisFlowers enjoy ice cold water.
action, hold the cut end of the stem over theA few drops of vinegar will help retard bacteria
flame of a candle until it is sealed. This should takegrowth. Too much is harmful.
about twelve seconds.A chemical flower prolonger may be used. These
Another method is dipping the stem tips intoare available at the flower shops.
boiling water for a couple of minutes, being verySpray gardenias with a little fresh water, and then
careful to protect the flowers from the steam.cover with a moist piece of cleansing tissue until
After this is done, plunge them directly into iceready for use. This will prolong freshness.
water. Poppies and dahlias react most favorablySometimes partially wilted lilacs may be
to the latter method.rejuvenated by wrapping in moist newspaper and
Woody Stemsplacing in water to be stored in a dark spot
Rhododendron, Chrysanthemums, Lilacs.overnight.
Place the stems of the preceding on a hardYou may keep camellias from turning brown by
surface and hammer them lightly; bruising theputting a few grains of salt in the center of each
stems so that they may absorb water moreflower.
readily.Prolong the lives of water lilies by pumping alcohol
Stock, Roses.into the stems and placing them in cold water for
Scrape a small portion of the stems of theseseveral hours.