Working with Fresh Flowers
Conditioning the fresh flowers before making the arrangement will help to stretch the life of the fresh flowers. These simple steps will lengthen the life of the flowers.
Burned Leaf Edges Soil has become excessively dry, too much fertilizer has been used Dropping Leaves Over watering, light too low, air pollution, chilling, root decay Brown Leaf Tips Soil has become excessively dry, too much fertilizer has been used Brown Spots on Petals and Leaves Light too bright, over watering, disease Light Green or Yellow Leaves Light too intense, lack of fertilizer, temperature too high, root rot Plant Rots at or Above Soil Level Over watering, poor drainage, root disease Yellowing of Leaves Light level too low, over watering, poor drainage, chilling, root decay Plant Wilting or Leaves Curling Over or under watering, air too hot or cold Roots Appear on the Soil Surface Plant may require repotting or the soil may be water logged
- Make sure that your vase and tools are clean.
- Remove all leaves that will fall below the water line
- Cut the stems every 2 or 3 days to preserve the life of the flower.
- Use a sharp knife or scissors while cutting the stem underwater and on an angle to prevent them from resting flat on the bottom impeding the absorption of the water. This prevents air pockets in the stem that will block the intake of water.
- Add the flower food available at florists and nurseries to the water. The water in the container should be changed every two to three days and fresh food added.
- Care should be taken that it is not displayed in direct sunlight.
- Cut flowers from your garden early in the morning, preferably while the dew is still on them. Flowers cut before they have reached full bloom will last longer in your arrangement.
- Cluster flowers last longest when cut with approximately half the blooms still in bud form.
- Cut stems should be immersed in warm water after cutting as soon as possible.
- Cool water should be used on bulb type flowers. While cutting, place the flowers that oozes milky liquid in the soil before putting it in the water.
- Flowers should be left in a cool dim room their stems immersed in buckets of water containing floral food for a minimum of six hours, maximum of one day.
- Buckets that hold the flowers loosely and do not crowd them make the best conditioning vessel.
- Some flowers will require special treatment. Woody stems such as roses should have the base of the stem slit a short distance to help with the water absorption.
- Those flowers with a hollow stem should be filled with water and the opening blocked with a cotton ball or two.
Burned Leaf Edges Soil has become excessively dry, too much fertilizer has been used Dropping Leaves Over watering, light too low, air pollution, chilling, root decay Brown Leaf Tips Soil has become excessively dry, too much fertilizer has been used Brown Spots on Petals and Leaves Light too bright, over watering, disease Light Green or Yellow Leaves Light too intense, lack of fertilizer, temperature too high, root rot Plant Rots at or Above Soil Level Over watering, poor drainage, root disease Yellowing of Leaves Light level too low, over watering, poor drainage, chilling, root decay Plant Wilting or Leaves Curling Over or under watering, air too hot or cold Roots Appear on the Soil Surface Plant may require repotting or the soil may be water logged
