![]() This can be messy, and also can be an irritant if it comes into contact with the skin. The stems of some flowers exude a milky substance, called latex, when cut. Special flower food is available for Lilies, and this should be used if possible. These should be conditioned by cutting the stem ends at a sharp angle, removing all the lower foliage which will be below the level of the water, and placing the stem ends in a bucket about ¼ filled with tepid water, which has had the appropriate amount of cut flower food added. This will keep vascular tissues intact and create more surface area to absorb water.Įxamples Chrysanthemum, Lily, Carnation, Asparagus Fern ![]() Be sure to cleanly cut the stems at the ends rather than smash them. ![]() Remove all the lower foliage which will be below the level of the water, and place the stems in a bucket about ¼ filled with tepid water, which has had the appropriate amount of cut flower food added. ![]() Hellebores are a special case and benefit from the boiling water treatment – see special notes below for details.Įxamples Syringia/Lilac, Viburnum opulous/Snowball, Cornus/dogwood, Mimosa, Eucalyptus.įor woody plant material cut the stem at a sharp angle, and split the stem ends by cleanly cutting for about 2 cm. Allow them to have a good overnight drink, the flowers can then be arranged. These should be conditioned by cutting the stem ends at a sharp angle, removing all the lower foliage which will be below the level of the water, and placing the stem ends in a bucket about ha1/4 filled with tepid water, which has had the appropriate amount of cut flower food added. If they are being arranged in water, they should be arranged separately, but if being arranged in floral foam, this is not necessary, and they can be arranged together with other flowers. Therefore, they should always be conditioned separately. This will shorten the life of other flowers if Daffodils are conditioned in the same water. Special Note – Daffodil stems exude a poisonous sap when cut. Special flower food for bulb flowers is available, and should be used if possible. Place the flowers in cold water, since most bulbs bloom when the air and ground are still at low temperatures, they do better in a vase of cold water, unless the flowers are wanted open, as warm water speeds up the development of bulbous flowers. Whilst the stems can be cut at an angle, extremely soft stems e.g hyacinths and Daffodils are best cut horizontally. Bulb flowers such as hyacinths, soft stems and should be cut where the green on the stem starts-just above the white bulb, as the stem will often not drink from this white area, therefore, it should be removed completely, as water can only be absorbed through the green part of the stem. This means that the end of the stem is often white and firm. Most bulbous stemmed flowers are pulled, not cut, from the plant by the grower. The water trapped inside will keep the stem strong and straight.Įxamples Daffodil, Iris, Tulips and Hyacinth. To keep the liquid in, you can plug the stem with a small piece of cotton and then place it in the vase or place your thumb over the opening at the bottom of the stem and then put it in the water. Simply turn the flower upside down and fill the hollow stem with tepid. To avoid this cut the stems at an angle and remove lower leaves as usual. Garden cut hollow stemmed flowers can be notorious for forming air-locks, as air enters the stem as soon as it is cut. The stems of hollow-stemmed flowers, such as, need to be filled with water, most commercially grown hollow stemmed flowers are grown for their suitability to draw the water up the stems naturally. They should be left to drink in lukewarm water with preservative for a minimum of one hour before arranging.Įxamples Delphinium, Lupin, Amaryllis, Mollucella/bells-of-Ireland, Dahlias, and Hollyhocks. The Hearty or solid stems need only the diagonal cut to absorb maximum water. Plant material should be conditioned according to its stem type, and conditioning varies with different stem types: hearty, hollow, soft, woody, or milky.Įxamples Celosia/Cockscomb, Clarkia, Marigolds and Statice. Correct conditioning will make sure that flowers and foliage last for the maximum time, providing the most value and enjoyment. Conditioning involves the preparation of cut plant material prior to its arrangement, to ensure that its life is not unduly shortened.
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