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Tip
# 1. Always cut stems at a sharp
angle. This increases the surface area
of the stem and allows water to be better
absorbed through the stem. |
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Tip
# 2. Stems cut at an angle will
not rest flush against the bottom of
the container; thus they allow the water
to penetrate the stem. |
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Tip
# 3. After the end of the stem
is cut, place it directly into the water.
It only takes a minute for the stem
to begin to dry and seal up. |
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Tip
# 4. Thick stems and thin branches
should be cut at an angle, and then
cut up the center for better water absorption
through the fibrous stems. |
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Tip
# 5. Thick stems and thin branches should be cut at an angle, and then cut up the center for better water absorption through the fibrous stems. |
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Tip
# 6. Remove the extra bark around
the shattered part of the stem
to prevent contaminating the water.
This will prolong the vase life of the
flowers. |
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Tip
# 7. Pull or trim all leaves
and thorns that will be below the water
level in the container. Allowing such
materials to decompose in water will
allow harmful bacteria to shorten the
life of the flowers. |
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Tip
# 8. Scrape all of the small
debris on the stem — such as small thorns,
branching stems, etc. — with a sharp,
curved knife to thoroughly clean the
stem before it is placed in the water. |
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Tip
# 9. Clean stems should be placed
in the deepest water possible to promote
vase life. Water can be absorbed from
the outside part of the stem as
well as the base, A nick or crack in
the stem left exposed above the water
level can create an air pocket and block
water flow to the flower. The deeper
the water, the less likely this is to
occur. |
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Tip
# 10. In conditioning flowers,
the water temperature should be comfortably
warm. Submerge your hand to test the
water. Cold water is not as readily
absorbed by the flower. Hot water will
penetrate the stem, but will almost
shock the flower. |
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Tip
# 11. Once flowers are placed
in water, they begin to decompose or
break down by releasing gases and forming
bacteria. The cleaner the stems and
the less debris in the water, the less
decomposition occurs, and the longer
the flowers will last. |
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Tip
# 12. All the same kind of flower
in a vase or container will last longer
than a mix of different types. Certain
flowers have a different makeup and
decompose by different means. This mixed
reaction can shorten the life of all
the flowers. The same kind of flower
will break down by the same reaction,
Actually, a single flower in a vase
will last longer than several of the
same kind. |
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Tip
# 13. Cloudy or discolored water is an indication of decomposition and
bacterial growth. Change the water in
the container at least every couple
of days, using new, warm water. This
will open the stems to allow water to
flow to the flower. |
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Tip
# 14. Fresh, clean water is best
for the vase life of flowers. Some commercial
floral foods can lengthen the vase life
as well, but be very careful in measuring
the amount. Using too much can actually
be harmful. Homemade versions or substitutions,
such as lemon lime soda, are not a good
idea, because sugar promotes bacterial
growth in the water. |
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Tip
# 15. Stems will develop a film
and become discolored from stagnating
in the water; this blocks water flow
to the flower. Recut the stems each
time the water is changed to allow water
to penetrate the stem. |
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Tip
# 16. Mixed arrangements are
sometimes hard to disassemble to change
the water and to recut the stems. Flushing
the container with fresh water will
help somewhat to prolong the life of
the bouquet. Use the tap or the spray
nozzle on your sink full force for a
few minutes with warm water to flush
the container completely. |
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Tip
# 17a. Use a piece of heavy twine
to tie your arrangement at the top of
the container. Once the flowers are
tied snugly, pull them from the vase.
Recut all the stems at an angle. |
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Tip # 17b. Clean the vase, and change the
water. Hold the tied bouquet upside
down. |
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Tip # 17c. Place back into the container
and cut the twine. Your bouquet should
fall back into place. |
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Tip
# 18a. Many flowers will open
in the light. This does not mean they
are not fresh. It is the nature of that
type of flower, which will close again
in the dark. Temperature will also cause
the same effect. |
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Tip # 18b. Warmer temperatures will cause
the flower to open, and cooler temperatures
will cause it to close. |
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Tip
# 19. Flowers last best in temperatures
around 45 degrees. Misting flowers with
cold water a few times a day will cool
them and create this environment temporarily.
Flowers can also absorb this extra moisture
through their petals. |
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Tip
# 20. Keep flowers out of direct
light. Flowers will last longer in a
place of low to indirect light. Light
creates heat and speeds up the life
cycle of the flower. However, flowers
with a green tinge owing to early cutting,
or tightly budded flowers and branches,
will need a strong light source to develop.
Once the flowers show full color, put
them in a place with less light so they
will last. |
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Tip
# 21. Most flowers are accustomed
to the outdoors, so air circulation
is important for their vase life. Keep
them in a place with good airflow. Cigarette
smoking is harmful to flowers. |
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Tip
# 22. Many believe that placing
flowers in the refrigerator at night
helps them last longer. However, many
foods may cause a negative reaction
in the flowers from the gases they release
in the breakdown process. Placing your
flowers next to a window or in a cool
room at night is a good idea. |
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Tip
# 23. Purchased cut flowers will
usually be wrapped in paper or cellophane
to protect them. It is a good idea to
leave them wrapped and hydrating in
deep water for about an hour when they
are brought home before conditioning
or arranging them. This ensure the flowers
will be upright. |
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Tip
# 24. Pinching or trimming off
spent blossoms and leaves encourages
other blossoms to open and makes the
flower last longer. The spent blossoms
take some of the energy the flower has
to stay alive. Trimming these away allows
the flower to channel the energy to
the healthy parts. |
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Tip
# 25. Some flowers, such as carnations
and dahlias, have separations or nodes
along their stems.The stem is thicker
and more fibrous at these parts. Cut
the stem between the nodes to allow
water to penetrate the stem. |
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Tip
# 26. Branching or spray flowers will last longer if the stems are separated
at their base. This allows for water
to be directly absorbed by each blossom. |
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Tip
# 27a. Some flowers secrete sap or latex when cut. Singeing the ends
will keep this fluid contained in the
stem. The fluid is what the flower needs
to last. |
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Tip # 27b. Some believe that placing the end in
boiling water will seal the stem. This
works, but the hot steam is not good
for the flower itself; burning the end
works the best. Try using a gas flame
on a stove, or a candle with an extra-thick
wick. Singe about one-half to one inch
of the base of the stem. |
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Tip
# 28. Poisonous flowers are best
used alone in their own container. These
flowers secrete latex that is harmful
to other flowers. Condition by standing
them in deep water with a drop of bleach
for 24 hours before mixing with other
flowers. |
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Tip
# 29. Tall or heavy flowers,
such as lilies and hybrid delphiniums,
may bend or break before they are completely
hydrated.Tie the tip of the flower and
the middle part of the stem to a branch
or stick loosely with twine to support
the flower for proper hydration. |
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Tip
# 30a. Flowers with hollow stems,
such as amaryllis, are designed to draw
water up through the outer layers of
the stem. Some believe that filling
the stem with water and plugging the
end will help the flower last longer,This
may help, but it is unnecessary because
of the way the flower is designed. |
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Tip # 30b. Hollow stems will crack and
break more easily than solid stems.
Support them by slowly inserting a stick
into the end of the flower. A clean
branch or bamboo works well. Covering
the stick with a soft, water-absorbent
material will protect the inside of
the stem and provide extra moisture
as well. |
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Tip
# 31a. Bent or cracked stems and flowers that bend owing to their
heavy heads can be salvaged with floral
wire. Insert the wire partway into the
strong area above the bend or break,
or under the flower head. Also see arranging
tip 18. |
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Tip # 31b. Support the stem with the wire and straighten it to the upright position. |
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Tip # 31c. Gently wrap the wire around the
rest of the stem. |
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Tip # 31d. Wrap the stem or the point of incision
with floral tape to keep air from blocking
water to the stem. |
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Tip
# 32. If flowers wilt or droop
prematurely, cutting them short and
placing them in slightly warmer water
should revive them. Both the cutting
and water temperature help the blossom
absorb water more quickly. |
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Tip
# 33. Some flowers bend or droop
because their flower heads become too
heavy for their stems. The stems become
waterlogged and stop conveying
water to the blossom. A tiny prick just
below the head of the flower will release
air, thus increasing the water flow. |
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Tip
# 34. Wilted flowers can also
be revived by completely submerging
them in cool water. Do this by filling
a deep bucket or tub with cool water.
Place the flowers lying down in the
water and weigh them down with a weight
of some kind, like a brick. Let the
flowers stay submerged for a few hours. |
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Tip
# 35a. Some flowers bend or
droop owing to light, temperature
changes, or just because it is the
nature of that flower. |
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Tip # 35b. Gently roll the paper around the flowers,
forming a cone shape. |
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Tip # 35c. Secure the paper with twine or with
staples so that the paper braces the
flowers. |
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Tip # 35d. Mist the flowers and paper to keep
them damp. Place the cone of flowers
in deep water for several hours.
Tip # 35e. Unwrap the flowers and they will be
upright again. |
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