Picking your own flowers – If you are picking your own flowers, it is best to do it in the morning or in the evening. The sugar reserves in the stems are highest in the morning or at night. Ideally, the best time is early in the morning, when the flower stalks fill with water after the cool night air. You should never pick flowers in the middle of the day when the sun is hottest.
The heat of the sun reduces the water content in the stems and the flowers will not last as long. If it has been raining and the flowers are wet, shake them gently to remove excess water. Too much water will often damage flowers, especially those with delicate petals.
When to pick flowers – Most flowers should be picked when in bud or semi-open. Then you will have the pleasure of watching them slowly open. The color of the petals should start to show. If they are pulled too tightly, they may never open. This is especially true of tulips and roses. The green pointed sepals around the base of the rose should begin to turn downward. Lilies and daffodils should be half open. Gladioli should be harvested when the bottom three or four foils are open and the top foils are still sprouting. Carnations, dahlias, marigolds, hydrangeas, camellias, gerberas, and chrysanthemums should be picked when fully open.
Fill a plastic bucket 1/3 to 1/2 full with warm water. Warm water should be used as the flowers absorb warm water more easily than cold water. It is preferable to add preservative to the water. (The use of preservatives is explained in detail later). The flowers only drink from the ends of the stems and not the sides of the stems, so the buckets should not be filled with water to the top, as the foliage that remains on the stems below the waterline it will rot and pollute the water. . This will cause bacteria and the flowers will die more quickly. The foliage of marigolds, chrysanthemums, plants and daisies gives off a particularly strong odor when allowed to sit under water for a period of time.
Take the bucket of water to the garden with you. Use a sharp pair of pruning shears and cut the flower stems at an angle; a sloping cut allows for better water intake. Remove all foliage from the bottom of the stems that would be below the water line. Put the flowers immediately in the water.
Never overcrowd the flowers. Allow enough air to circulate between each flower. Too many flowers crowded into a bucket can cause the petals to crush and bruise. Place the bucket in a cool, dark place and let the flowers take a long drink before placing. When picking short-stemmed flowers, use a smaller container.
Flower and foliage conditioning – Let the flowers take a good gulp for four to five hours, preferably overnight before arranging. This step is called conditioning. Allow the stems to fill with water and the flowers to become crisp. These flowers will last twice as long as those that have not been properly conditioned.
Bought flowers – Purchased flowers should be placed in warm water as soon as possible. Remove the wrapping paper, as the paper can damage the flowers and the cellophane can make them sweat. When cut flowers have been left out of the water for a period of time, cells begin to form on the cut ends of the stems, which will prevent the stems from easily absorbing water. To remove this sealed portion, cut about 1 “(2.5 cm) off the stem ends then place in water, preferably with added preservative, and let the flowers take a long drink before arranging.
They may give you flowers when you are away from home. It may take several hours before you can place them in water. The best way to keep flowers fresh is to place them in a sturdy plastic bag with a little water in the bottom. Secure the bag with a rubber band. Another method is to wrap flowers in damp newspaper. If you are traveling by car, put the flowers in the coolest place. As soon as you get home, re-cut the ends of the stems, place them in water, and let them condition overnight before fixing.
Condoms – A flower preservative helps destroy bacteria in the water. Flower preservatives are available at garden centers or supermarkets. Another alternative is to use a plug of household bleach in the water. If a preservative is not used, it is necessary to change the water and cut the stems at an angle every day. If a preservative is used, the stems do not need to be cut back and the water only needs to be changed about twice a week. Flowers like freesias, spray carnations, and lilies have many buds. By using a preservative in the water, it helps the buds to open.
Special treatment – Certain flowers should be given special treatment to give them the longest possible life. Flowers with woody stems do not absorb water easily. Woody-stemmed flowers include lilacs, hydrangeas, and rhododendrons. To help break up the thick fibers, you can split the ends of the stems up about 5 cm. (2 “) After this treatment, place the stems in a container filled with warm water and give the flowers a long drink before arranging.
Flowers with milky stems – Poppies, poinsettias, and dahlias have a milky liquid that flows through their stems. To seal this liquid and make the flowers last, the ends of the stems must be held over a flame such as a candle, a jet of gas, or a lighter. Hold the end of the stem over the flame for about thirty seconds until the end of the stem turns black. The flowers should be held at an angle to protect the delicate petals. Another method is to immerse the stems in boiling water for about thirty seconds. Keep flower heads at an angle away and protect petals from steam by holding newspaper around the flowers. Immediately place the stems in warm water and give the flowers a long drink before arranging. If the stems need to be cut back later when you arrange the flowers, you will need to repeat the steps above. To avoid this, you can cut the stems into different lengths before sealing the ends of the stems.
Bulb flowers – Certain flowers grow from a bulb. These include tulips, daffodils, reeds, daffodils, lilies, and hyacinths. These flowers usually have a white part at the ends of the stems. Cut off this white part before conditioning, as only the green part of the stem can absorb water. Daffodils, reeds, and daffodils have thick sap that oozes from the end of the stems when cut. Clean it before placing the stems in water. Keep these flowers separate from other flowers when they are being conditioned, as the sap can affect other flowers. The thick sap can clog the ends of the stems and prevent water absorption. Place the stems in about 7.5 cm. (3 “) of water and let stand at least six hours before arranging. Bulb flowers prefer shallow water. If daffodils, jonquillos, and daffodils are placed in deep water, the thick stems may become soaked in water and the stems they wither and the petals go to the paper.
Dead flowers – Withered flowers can often be revived by placing the stems in fairly hot water up to the flower heads. Once the water has cooled, let the flowers soak in the water for a few hours before setting. Roses can often be enlivened by floating the entire stem, head, and all, in warm water for half an hour.
Copyright 2002 by Fay Chamoun I give permission to publish this article, electronically or in print, as long as the resource box is included with a live link.