Pick garden flowers in the cool of the morning or evening, never when the sun is high in the sky and the ground feels hot. Cut the stems on a diagonal slant, using a knife or sharp garden scissors. This method of cutting exposes more of the stems surface to the water. Put you fresh cut (or purchased) flowers into cool water quickly.

If you are cutting flowers for a large bouquet take out a 1-gallon pail of lukewarm water, 110’F. Take the pail with you into the garden or green house. If the flowers have a woody stem (lilacs, chrysanthemums), scrape the base of the stem first, or split it an inch from the end, before putting it into water. If stems have milky sap, “seal” the ends by charring with a candle flame or dipping in boiling water for 30 seconds, covering flower heads and foliage to protect from steam; then place flowers in lukewarm water.

Before arranging flowers, condition them by leaving in lukewarm water in a cool room for at least two hours, until the blooms feel crisp and firm. This is the perfect time to pick the vase or vessel to compliment the flowers you plan to arrange, make sure that it is clean with no bacteria from other flower arrangements. I give florist’s flowers the same treatment, having first re-cut the stems on a diagonal slant, an inch from the end. When you are ready to arrange your bouquet , carefully remove excess foliage that might cloud the water in the vase or vessel you have chosen to arrange the flowers in.

To extend the life of any cut flowers, I strongly recommend use of a commercial flower preservative, in granular or liquid form. Most have some plant food in them, and ingredients that retard fungus and bacterial growth. A liquid form of cut flower plant food should be added by day four of the bouquets display time when the water is refreshed.

Place flower arrangements away from drafts, direct heat, strong light, or anywhere a house pet could disturb them. Change the water ever other day, unless you are using a flower preservative, in which case add water as it evaporates.

Enjoying fresh cut flowers insides ones own home is a wonderful way to bring the outdoor inside, and brighten up any room any time of the year. If you received the flowers as a gift it is a good idea to take a photograph of the arrangement at its most splendid so that you have a record of it to add to memory books, or scan in to your computer for any application you wish. It can be a splendid treat to email a gift of cut flowers to someone who is far away. I recommend emailing a photograph of the flowers you have received to the person who gave them to you along with a thank you. Flower arranging can be a hobby, or a skill you brush up on when that odd batch of flowers comes your way, but knowing the basics can help you to enjoy flowers no matter what the situation.

Copywrite By Lariena J. Nokes-Moser March 9 2005