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Conditioning

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• Level 2

LEARNING THE BASICS - CONDITIONING FLOWERS

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 your to me by email. LEVEL 3   INDIVIDUAL FLOWERS - TYPES AND TIPS

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Dahlia	Cut when blossoms are fully open. Sear stems or treat with boiling water dip, then remove to cool, deep water overnight.
Daffodil Narcissus	Cut bloom stem only, leaving foliage to ripen. Daffodils exude latex which will clog the stems of other flowers.  Singe stem ends in flame and then condition separately in warm water.  If you must recut the stem, sear it once again.
Daucas carota Queen Anne's Lace	Stand in deep, cool water for several hours.
Daylily Hemerocallis	Blooms only last one day, failing in early evening. Cut when just beginning to open.
Delphinium	Turn flower upside down and fill stem with water. Plug with a small piece of cotton. Pierce stem just below flowers with a pin. This release any air bubbles that would restrict water flow.  Then insert stem end in boiling water for 30 seconds, protecting the blooms from steam with a wrap of newspaper.  Move to deep, warm water until used.
Dianthus barbatus Sweet Williams	Cut stems as long as possible and recut under water before sinking them up to the flowers in cool water.
Dianthus caryophyllus Carnation	Recut stem end, under water, above a joint, before sinking up to their necks in cool water.
Digitalis Foxgloves	Cut when up to one half of flowers are open. Turn upside down and fill stem with water, plugging with a small piece of cotton. Immerse stems in very warm water.
A few well placed bare branches will help support the flowers of bulbs that  tend to droop.  Try the new flower preservatives designed specially for bulb flowers.
Echinops Globe Thistle	Cut stem ends vertically about 1/2"and place in deep water for several hours. May be dried if florets in globe have not opened.
Eleagnus Bellflowers	Cut stem ends vertically about 1/2"and stand in deep water. Stems may be wired into interesting shapes and dried.
Equisetum Bellflowers	No special conditioning required. Useful for purposes other than itself. Use a piece of equisetum to transition a hard stem to a needlepoint or floral frog. Place a delicate stem inside a piece of equisetum to give it strength before placing it in floral foam.
Eremurus	Cut when only half of florets have opened. This heavy flower may be supported by inserting a reed or heavy wire into the stem. Fill stem with water and seal with a small piece of cotton. Stand in deep water until used.
Erica Heath	Cut stem ends vertically about 1/2" and stand in deep, warm water.
Eryngium Sea Holly	Stand in deep water to use fresh. May also be air-dried to good effect.
Eucalyptus Gum tree	Split stem ends and then stand in deep water. Hang upside down to dry.
Euphorbia Poinsettia, Spurge	The euphorbias must be singed in flame to prevent the loss of latex from their stems. Condition separately in deep water for several hours before arranging.
Eustoma Prairie Gentian	Wrap flower heads in newspaper and dip stem ends in boiling water for 30 seconds, then plunge stems into cool water to condition for several hours.
Evergreens Conifers	Rinse stems, recut ends on a slant or crush stem ends. Submerge entire stem in water for several hours before using.

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