WHAT'S IN YOUR FRIDGE?

Tips for Conditioning Flowers offered by the New York Botanical Society:

• The most important rule for conditioning flowers is to let them stand in a cool place out of direct sunlight in tepid water for several hours--preferably overnight. Add some cut-flower food. This will extend their bloom time by several days.
• Cut all stems on a 45-degree angle. You are increasing the surface area for the water to get to the flower.
• Woody stemmed branches from flowering trees and shrubs need to have the ends of their stems split. Split the bottom of each stem by making a 1/2 to one-inch vertical cut.
• For long-lasting hydrangeas, submerge them in a bowl of cold water (head down) for one hour to help firm their petals. Let the flowers drip dry, cut their stems at a 45-degree angle, and place stems in warm water overnight.
• Daffodils exude a clear sap that can kill other flowers. Cut these flowers and soak them separately in a vase for one hour before adding them to your arrangements. Warning: the sap can be a skin irritant.
• Cut off the thick white section on the bottom of the stems of bulbs for better water absorption.
• Some plants such as spurge, blood flower, and poinsettia contain a milky sap that can also be a skin irritant. To condition these flowers, sear the end with a match or dunk in boiling water for 15 seconds.
• Plants with thin stems that tend to bend are best bundled together and left to sit for several hours in water before being placed in an arrangement. Tulips are a classic example.
• Another tip for tulips if they start to droop is to take a pin and prick a small hole in the stem just below the flower. I gave this tip to my mother and she now swears by it.
• Some flowers such as delphiniums, lupines, and amaryllis have hollow stems. Place a thin stick or wire up the stems or fill the stems with water and cover with a cotton ball at the base bound by a rubber band.
• Cut carnations between the nodes on the stem for better water conduction.
• Floral preservative always helps to extend the life of your bouquet. For a homemade recipe try 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of household bleach, and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice per 1 quart of lukewarm water. The sugar is food, the bleach keeps it clean and the lemon juice keeps it acidic which helps with the uptake of water. 

Flower Menu for July 24th:

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