Flower preparation tips to ensure they last

When you pick or buy fresh blooms, it’s important to condition the stems just right in order to make sure that your blooms last as long as possible. Here are some excellent flower preparation tips to help you ensure that your bouquets look their best and you get the most out of every bloom. Remember, different stems require different types of care so it’s good to take note of the types of flowers in your bouquet before you begin.

Woody stems

Some of the most popular examples of flowers with woody stems include roses, alazea, rhododendron and lilac. Eucalyptus is a popular type of foliage used in many bouquets and this stem is also of the woody variety. Flower preparation for these stems involves cutting them at an angle to prevent them from resting directly on the bottom of the vase since this obstructs water flow. The stems should also be split approximately one centimetre to encourage water absorption. All lower foliage should be removed since you do not want them to end up in the vase water. This will increase the rate of bacterial growth in the vase water and will cause your flowers to perish prematurely. Chrysanthemums, carnations and lilies are semi-woody stems. These should also be trimmed at an angle, their lower leaves removed and placed in warm water just like woody stems.

Hollow Stems

Some of the most popular flowers with hollow stems include delphiniums, lupins and gerbera daisies. It is common for air bubbles to sneak into the stem when it is trimmed. For this reason, you should cut them at an angle and while they are under water. Another great idea is to turn the stems upside down and fill them with cool water before plugging the stem with s tiny piece of cotton wool. As with all other types of stems, make sure that you remove the lower leaves.

Soft stems

Freesia and anemones are both examples of flowers with soft stems. Proper flower preparation involves cutting the stems at an angle and removing all lower foliage. Submerge the flowers up to the base of the blooms overnight before arranging them the following day.

Firm stems

Hydrangeas and some types of roses are known for having firm stems. You should remove all lower leaves and immerse these blooms in warm water (not hot) overnight.

Bulbous stems

Flower preparation for blooms produced by plants grown from bulbs will require that you place them in cool water. Most of these types of flowers, such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are pulled from the plant. This is why you will see a white end at the base of the stem and this prevents water absorption. Make sure that you trim this white piece away.

Latex producing stems

Some flower stems produce a type of latex and this is released into the vase water. It can prove toxic to other types of blooms. Poppies and daffodils are two examples of these types of flowers. For these stems, proper flower preparation means that you will need to trim the stems and place them in a separate bucket overnight. By the following day, the stems would have released that latex and you can arrange them with other flowers. Remember, you should always wear gloves when handling these flowers since this latex substance can cause skin irritations.

As you can see, different types of stems require slightly different flower preparation. For the most part they are very similar so it’s not going to take too much time to follow these steps. Just a few minutes of your time and care will make all the difference in terms of extending the life of your bouquet.