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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. |
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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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