Garden Tool Set

Friday Five: Making the most of Cut Flowers

Conditioning is the process of preparing cut flowers prior to arranging them. Remove the bottom half to two-thirds of the foliage - at minimum ensure that no foliage is below the water line where it will begin to rot. Cut the flower stem at a 45-degree angle rather than a straight cut. A straight cut will stop the flower absorbing water if the stem is resting on the bottom of the vase. Additionally, an angled cut provides a larger surface area for water absorption. Finally the longevity of cut flowers can be increased if they are left to rest in a cool, dark place in a bucket of tepid water for a few hours.

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