Get Your Flowers in Condition to Last!

If you don't know the term flower conditioning, then this is the post for you!

 You don't need exercise equipment to condition your flowers.....

Conditioning means preparing cut plants/flowers before arranging them.

The right conditioning for the right flowers makes all the difference.

Taking the extra time to condition your blooms pays off with the extra time you will be able to enjoy your gorgeous flowers.



Here are a couple of examples of how conditioning makes a difference:

These yellow Loosestrife plants come up all over our garden.  I don't usually cut them because they never seem to last without dropping flowers right away.  But look at these after 4 days!   I cut them and they ended up sitting in cold water for a day.....I decided to stick them in a vase....and like magic...the conditioning worked!  They lasted almost a week.

Look at these.....they came from the florist a full week ago.  With some good conditioning they have lasted and lasted.

Conditioning flowers is all about making sure there are no air pockets in the stems.

Every flower is a little different.

I did some good librarian research....and found you all some great links to teach you the ins and outs of conditioning YOUR flowers:

Conditioning Flowers to Boost Vase Life:  This is a nice overview article that gives the basics of flower conditioning.

The Garden Club of Brookfield Connecticut  has put this amazing alphabetical list of lots and lots of flowers and the "rules" for conditioning each one.
Somehow a group that has been in existence since the 1930's give me confidence in their advice!

Now that I am including it in this post....I will be able to stop back and refer to it often!!!
(maybe I will memorize some...so the next time strangers ask me for advice....I won't just be guessing!

Here are just a few of the tips from this site:

• Artemisia: Split stems and place in boiling water for a few seconds. Condition overnight in warm water.
• Black-Eyed-Susan (rudbeckia): Dip stems in a small amount of boiling water for a few seconds. Condition overnight in deep, cool water.
• Gerbera: Dip stems in boiling water. Condition overnight in cold water.
• Phlox: Cut when clusters are one-half open. Split stems. Condition overnight in deep, warm water.
• Zinnia: Place stems in boiling water for a few seconds. Condition overnight in tepid water. Zinnias last better if plants are watered before they are cut.   

http://www.flowerarranging.me.uk/conditioning.html 

This site is a great overview worth taking a look at. 

Whether you are investing in flowers from the grocery store, florist or just cutting blooms from your garden, it is well worth the effort to spend some time conditioning them.

Face it....if you aren't going to work out and get yourself in condition...your flowers can be in good shape for at least a week!  And "no sweat" involved!

Have a wonderful day!

  
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