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Conditioning

• Level 1
• Level 2

LEARNING THE BASICS - CONDITIONING FLOWERS

(click for larger image) Gerberas, day three, after conditioning with cornstarch. Stem ends trimmed and water changed daily. Stayed fresh 6 days.

Conditioning refers to the preparation of plant material to help it retain its freshest possible state for the longest period of time.  You will be able to enjoy your arrangements longer if you condition the plant material properly. Over the years, arrangers have found tricks for conditioning individual types of plants and flowers.  Feel free to contribute your tricks and tips for conditioning individual types of plants and flowers.  Send yours to me by email. LEVEL 3   INDIVIDUAL FLOWERS -                    TYPES AND TIPS GO TO: B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  XYZ

Acanthus Bear's breech	Singe the ends of mature leaves or use boiling water to treat stem ends, while protecting leaf from steam. Then place entire leaf under water for several hours.
Acer Maple	Make a vertical 1" cut in the stem end and place the entire piece underwater for several hours. Immature growth will wilt quickly.  Use only hardened stems.
Achillea Yarrow	Pick when at no fewer than half of flowers are open. Cut the stem end abouyt 1/2" vertically and place stems in deep water. Better used dried.
Agapanthus	Stand stems in deep water for several hours before arranging. Cut when flowers are beginning to open.  May be air-dried.
Alcea Hollyhock	Holding bloom upside down, fill stem with water and plug with cotton. Treat stem end in boiling water for 60 seconds, remove and place in cool water.
Allium Decorative onion	Pick when buds are starting to open. Stand stems in deep water for several hours before arranging. A teaspoon of bleach helps remove odor.
Alstromeria Peruvian Lily	Stand stems in deep water for several hours before arranging. Remove most of foliage.
Anemone coronaria Windflower	Best used in vases without mechanics. Pick early, before fully open. Short-lived when cut.  Keep water topped up since they are big drinkers!
Amaryllis	Place a thin bamboo inside stem, to just below head to help support bloom. The stem ends tend to split and curl, so wrap the bottom of the stem with waterproof tape, or tie securely with twine. Turn stem upside down and fill with water, then stuff a small piece of wet cotton in the stem.  Cover the opening with your finger and set upright in deep water.
Anthurium	Submerge entire leaf and stem in water for several hours, then stand upright in deep water. Holds up extremely well in arrangements. Easy to grow a plant at home (tropical) to cut from.
Antirrhinum Snapdragons	Buy or cut in bud, showing color, and stand in warm water. Cool temps will retard opening, warm temps will encourage opening.
Aquilegia Columbine	Short-lived as cut flowers. McKana variety holds up best. Pick before fully open.
Arbutus Strawberry tree	Cut stem ends vertically about 1/2" and stand in deep water for several hours.
Artemisia Wormwood	Cut stem ends vertically about 1/2", place 2" ends in boiling water for 30 seconds, then stand in deep water for several hours.
Arum italicum	Submerge entire leave and stem in water for several hours.
Arundinaria Bamboo with leaves	Add vinegar to boiling water and dip stem ends for 2-3 minutes, protecting foliage from steam, stand in deep water for several hours.
Asparagus	Stand in shallow water for several hours in refrigeration.
Aspidistra Cast Iron Plant	Submerge entire leaf in water for an hour, then stand upright with just petiole (stem end) in water until read to use.
Aster	Split stem end by making two vertical cuts with a clean pruner. Place stem ends in boiling water for 30 seconds, protecting blooms, then submerge stems in cool water. Change water daily.
Aucuba	Cut stem ends vertically about 1" and submerge entire stem and foliage in warm water for several hours.
Azalea	Cut stem ends vertically about 1" and slightly scrape bark at the bottom of stem.. Place in warm water overnight. Stems with partially open blooms perform best.
The shorter the stem, the longer the flower will last. When displaying your arrangements in a dry environment, misting will help keep material fresh.
Berberis Barberry	Cut stem ends vertically about 1" and stand in warm, deep water for several hours.
Bergenia	Place flowers in deep water for several hours. Submerge entire leaf in water, if using foliage only, for about an hour, then stand in shallow water to cover petiole.
Betula Birch	Cut stem ends vertically about 1" and place in deep water. Do not plan to use with Fall seeds as they fall off and are messy.
Brassica Cabbage, Brussell sprouts	Keep refrigerated until used. Use bamboo skewers in stem end to secure in arrangement. Remove damaged outer leaves.
Briza Quaking grass	No water conditioning is required, but stems may need support by wrapping waterproof tape around a small wire piece at the bottom before inserting in foam.
Buddleia Butterfly Bush	These flowers do not hold up well. Cut stem ends vertically about 1" and place bottom 2" in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then stand in deep water.
Buxus Boxwood	Swish in water to clean. Cut stem ends vertically about 1" and stand in deep water. Holds up for a long time. Can have a strong odor - offensive to some, pleasing to others.

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