How to Prolong the Life of Cut Flowers
A little extra time and care can give your flowers a longer lease of life. Ideally, you should take precautionary measures before giving the flowers their long drink but, if this is not possible, make sure you do so before arranging them.
Leaves
Any leaves growing down stems which will be below water level should be stripped off. They take up space in the container or vase, and also make the water discoloured and smelly. This is true of most garden flowers, particularly Brassicas (the Cabbage family), Wallflowers and Stocks.
Hard woody stems
Plants like Lilac, Roses, Chrysanthemums and most flowering shrubs have hard woody stems. These should be hammered or split about half an inch up the stem.
Stems which bleed
The stems of flowers such as Poppies, Dahlias and Euphorbia (Spurge) which bleed or exude a white juice, benefit from being put for 10 to 30 seconds into two inches of boiling water. This treatment disperses the juice and helps them to drink. Protect the flower heads from the steam by wrapping them in a dishcloth. And if the stem ends look unhappy after this treatment do not worry and, above all, do not trim them off.
Sticky stems
Daffodils, Narcissi, and similar flowers exude a sticky substance. Hold the stem ends under warm running water to remove this, as it makes it difficult for them to drink.
Water
Always arrange flowers in tepid water. If you put a small piece of charcoal in the bottom of the container, the water will remain pure. Most flowers, with the exception of those such as Daffodils and Narcissi which exude a sticky substance, will last longer if you add sugar to the water (two teaspoons to one pint). Few flowers have a definite preference for a particular depth of water, but it is worth remembering those that do. Hellebore, for example, last better if they are arranged in deep water or floated in a bowl; Daffodils and Narcissi can last a very long time in a little water as long as they do not go dry; and Holly is best if it is not in water--leave it dry or arrange it in a plastic foam.
If you are cutting flowers which will be going on a journey, first put damp tissues or cotton wool around the stems, then newspaper and, finally, aluminium foil. This should ensure that they keep as fresh as possible.
Most flowers which have wilted in their travels can be revived if you recut the stems diagonally, place them up to their necks in a bucket of warm water to which sugar has been added (two teaspoons to one pint) and then leave them in a cool dark place for a couple of hours. Remember that all flowers, even if they travel no further than across the lawn, benefit from a long, undisturbed drink before being arranged.
Certain flowers will last appreciably longer if you cater to their individual needs. Below are listed some tried and tested hints on how to deal with them.
Begonia and other hot-house plant leaves which are going to be used in an arrangement, should first be submerged for a few hours in water to which a spoonful of sugar has been added.
- If you cut Broom when it is in flower, put the stems into very hot water for half a minute before arranging it.
- Touch Camellia and Gardenia flowers only rarely, they bruise very easily.
- Break Carnation stems between the joints if possible.
- Put the ends of Dahlia stems in boiling water for 10 seconds. Avoid picking the larger blooms as they do not live long in water.
- Delphiniums will last longer if you dip the tips of their stems in boiling water for 10 seconds, but even so the lower florets will probably still drop.
- Delphiniums and Lupins benefit if their hollow stems are filled with water after they are cut, then plugged with cotton wool and left overnight in deep water.
- Freesia lasts fairly well if the individual flower-heads are removed as soon as they die.
- Cut Hydrangea on the new wood. Before arranging it place the stem ends in boiling water for a few seconds and then soak the flower-heads. Hydrangea absorbs water through the flower-head. Spray the flowers frequently to give a longer life in the vase.
- Iris stems contain a lot of water which evaporates and causes the flower to droop. When gathered, each head should be wrapped in soft paper, and the flowers placed in deep water. Leave them in a cool place for an hour or more. This treatment hardens the stems and gives the flowers a longer life.
|
|
 |
Cork Flooring - Cork Floors -
Cork floors , Rose Pests and Diseases have become very popular recently in both North America and Australasia and are now sold around the world. Cork flooring , Acclimatising House Plants is a fantastic product. , Cactus Grafting They are antistatic, a thermal insulator, sound absorbing, and also a great relief for thos...
Growing Beans -
Beans are one of the most satisfying vegetables , Hydroponic Systems - Aquaculture to grow. , Garden Hose They require so little attention, usually crop within eight weeks from sowing, and fresh Beans are very palatable and nutritious....
Gardens and Garden Design -
The choice of suitable trees , Choosing Your Plants From The Nursery and shrubs , Seed Stratification is governed not only by the soil, , Preparing for Planting Roses climate, , Bonsai Tree Care and aspect of the area, but by many other factors. Trees , What Plants to Plant, and Where? and shrubs , Cactus Pests and Disease help to overcome the ill-effects of extremes in climate , Preparing for Planting Roses - between the hot, , How to Lay Floor Tiles penetrating summer , Growing Cacti and Succulents heat, and...
Pruning -
Pruning includes not only the cutting back or removal of sound branches but also the taking out of dead and diseased wood. , Growing Orchids The purpose in pruning , Acclimatising House Plants flowering shrubs , DIY Safety is to secure the maximum amount of good quality blooms, well coloured fruits , Sowing Australian Native Plants in berrying shr...
Sowing Australian Native Plants -
Although the ideal temperature , Spring Flowering Plants for germination varies with the species, many species will germinate when daily temperature , Bamboo Floors rises above 20° C. The seed , How To Transplant Australian Native lings of a number of cool climate , Lawn Plugs - Plugging species will sprout when daily temperatures , Bonsai History reach 15°, and s...
Landscaping with Trees -
Study your garden , Choosing Your Plants From The Nursery area, taking note of where the sun , Lawn Mower Blades is at various times of the day. A patio , Formal and Informal Gardens for instance, could be shaded by a well positioned tree , Formal and Informal Gardens in the heat , Organic Food of the day, but in the winter , Red Scale time you will want to have the sun , rooms on the patio, , Garden Roses so for these si...
Plants for Window Boxes -
Plants in window-boxes tend to have a somewhat hard life, with periods of drought , Caring for Newly Sown Lawn and wind, draughts and little protection. Certain hardy plants , Herbs and Pests are, therefore, almost synonymous with window-box gardening. , Bonsai Display Choose Chrysanthemum Frutescens (Marguerites), Pe...
How to Plant Roses -
Make the planting hole 15 to 18 in. wide and, except for standards, no deeper than will be required to bring the budding union level with the surface of the soil. , White Wax Scale (The budding union is the bulge where the main stem starts.) Make a mound of fine soil , Making acid alkaline in th...
The Blackheaded Pasture Cockchafer -
The pasture cockchafer (Aphodius tasmaniae) is a pest , Builders Insurance of improved pastures, lawns, , Retaining Walls golf fairways and parks, mainly in certain areas of the highland districts. The larvae typically cause a thinning out or improved pastures, with consequent loss of winter , Growing Melons from Seed f...
|
|
|
|
