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3. TIPS ON FLOWERS

When and how do we cut them? - What shouldn’t we do? - How can we help our cut flowers last longer?

Proper Cutting –

Cut your flowers in the morning before the sun comes up, or in the early evening after it sets. The sun closes the pores of the blossoms, preventing the stems from absorbing water properly. Be sure to use a sharp knife or shears to avoid bruising stem tissues and leaving rag­ged edges. Cut steins at an angle. This will provide the stem with a broader surface for absorbing water.

Place your cuttings carefully, in a flat flower basket, and avoid crowd­ing the blossoms. Plunge into ice cold water up to the flower head as quickly as possible. This will harden them. If necessary, make sever­al trips to and from the flower bed. Long stems and small buds will add to the beauty of the arrangement.

Material Preparation –

Around one third of the foliage should be removed from the stem. Re­move all top buds which tend to make the stem heavy. Gladioli for example, have small florets at the top which, if they do not open, will weigh down the other blossoms by contrasting unpleasantly with the lighter effect of the latter.

Bleeding stems –

Dahlias, Poppies, Hollyhocks, Poinsettias.

A milky or glue like substance runs from the stems of these flowers when cut. To stop this action, hold the cut end of the stem over the flame of a candle until it is sealed. This should take about twelve seconds.

Another method is dipping the stem tips into boiling water for a couple of minutes, being very careful to protect the flowers from the steam. After this is done, plunge them directly into ice water.

Poppies and dahlias react most favorably to the latter method.

Woody Stems –

Rhododendron, Chrysanthemums, Lilacs.

Place the stems of the preceding on a hard surface and hammer them lightly; bruising the stems so that they may absorb water more readily.

Stock, Roses.

Scrape a small portion of the stems of these flowers with a sharp knife; placing them quickly in cold water almost to the flower heads.

Other Flowers

Iris, Daffodils, Calla lilies, Tulips.

The stems of these flowers may be cut straight across. Since evapo­ration occurs quickly, it is suggested that you wrap the entire units in newspaper. Place them in water and put them in a dark place over night before arranging.

What to Avoid –

1. Do not keep flowers out of water for any length of time.
2. Flowers should not be left in direct sunlight.   It fades them.
3. Keep fingers off  blossoms whenever possible. The heat of our hands is injurious to them.
4. Dead and wilting flowers ruin the appearance of the arrangement. Remove them.
5. Avoid over crowding in the vase.
6. Heat and drafts shorten flower life.
7. Do not pile flowers on top of one another.
8. Quick changes in temperature are inadvisable.

Hints on Prolonging the Lives of Flowers –

1. Change water regularly.   (Every day, if possible.)
2. Remove all foliage from below the water line.
3. Snip a small bit of the stems off diagonally, before placing them into the arrangement.   This will retard bacteria growth.
4. Fresh water will keep your flowers garden crisp.  Sprinkle your rose arrangements daily.
5. Flowers enjoy ice cold water.
6. A few drops of vinegar will help retard bacteria growth. Too much is harmful.
7. A chemical flower prolonger may be used.   These are available at the flower shops.
8. Spray gardenias with a little fresh water, then cover with a moist piece of cleansing tissue until ready for use.   This will prolong freshness.
9. Sometimes partially wilted lilacs may be rejuvenated by wrapping in moist newspaper and placing in water to be stored in a dark spot over night.
10. You may keep camellias from turning brown by putting a few grains of salt in the center of each flower.
11. Prolong the lives of water lilies by   pumping   alcohol   into   the stems and placing them in cold water for several hours.

The first three chapters of this book have given you a firm founda­tion for the hours of experimentation and success which are ahead. Refer to them often, to familiarize yourself with the general pro­cedure.

SIMPLIFIED GUIDE TO PROLONGATION

APPLEBLOSSQMS - Cut while budding. Crush stem ends. Use 2 drops hydrochloric acid to 1 quart cold water.

ASTERS - Cut and place in cold water with a bit of sugar for about an hour.   This is the hardening period.

CALENDULAS - Cut while still buds.   Place ice cubes in water.

CALLA LILIES - Use 1/4 cup vinegar to 1 quart water.   See that the water covers the leaves.

CAMELLIAS - Treat the same way as gardenias.

CARNATIONS - 2 1/2 drops oil of peppermint to 1 quart water or 1/2 cup boric acid to 1 gallon water.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS - Crush or burn stem ends. Use 4 drops oil of peppermint to 1 quart water.

DAFFODILS - Squeeze gelatin substance from stems before placing in 1 inch water in a cool place.

DAHLIAS - Place in solution of 1 quart water to 1 teaspoon wood alco­hol for two hours after the stem ends have been burned.

DAISIES - To harden,  burn stem ends and soak in cold water for 1 hour

DELPHINIUM - Use 2 tablespoons   wood  alcohol to 2 quarts water. Crush stem ends and place quickly in solution.

DOGWOOD - Crush stem ends.   Peel outer skin.

FORGET-ME-NOTS - Plunge stem tips into boiling water and then in­to cold water.   Keep blossoms away from steam.

GARDENIAS - Keep flowers moist. Sprinkle with table salt and place in box in refridgerator.

GLADIOLUS - Place in cold water. Soak over night to develop curves.

HYACINTHS - Put stem ends in boiling water and then quickly into cold water.

HYDRANGEAS - Treat as calla lilies.

HOLLYHOCKS - Burn stem tips immediately after cutting. Soak in deep water over night.

IRIS - Plunge immediately into cold water after cutting.

LARKSPUR - Use 1/2 teaspoonful wood alcohol to 2 quarts cold water.

LILACS - Remove all foliage except leaf closest to flower head. Crush

stems up 2 or 3 inches.

MARIGOLDS - Harden stems by placing in solution of 1 teaspoonful oil of peppermint to 1 quart water for an hour and one half.

PANSIES - Place stems in 2 pints of water to 5 drops wood alcohol.

PETUNIAS - Use 2 quarts water to 2 tablespoons salt.

POINSETTIAS - Treat as dahlias.

RANUNCULUS - Place in solution of l/4 cup vinegar to 1 cup water.

ROSES - Use 2 1/2 drops wood alcohol to 1 quart water.   Slit stem up about 2 inches.

SNAPDRAGONS - Strip lower leaves and place in 2 quarts   of  water containing 3 tablespoons baking soda.

SWEET PEAS - Place stems in boiling water and then cold water.

TULIPS - Put the stem ends in boiling hot water for 1 minute.

VIOLETS - Submerge bunches in water, then gently shake off all water.

WATERLILIES - Pump wood alcohol into the stems with rubber syringe and harden in cold water for 2 hours.

ZINNIAS - Strip lower leaves and place in 2 quarts   water containing tablespoons rock salt.

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