For Preservation of flowers in an arrangement the following procedures can be used:
- Cut flowers from the plants before sunrise. Cut the stem at a slant. The stems should be kept under water and brought indoors and given good drinks of neck-deep water for 3 – 4 hours and then arranged.
- Big leaves and branches to be submerged face down for a few hours. Gerberas can be wrapped up to their necks in newspaper and then put in a bottle of water to keep from curving.
- Rub salt on the stems of Cannas, Daisies, Wisteria etc.,
- Aspirin, Salt, Sugar and Charcoal when added to the water act as preservatives.
- Change water in arrangements every third day. When changing water try using warm water instead of cold. The flowers will soak it in faster and will add zest back into the flowers.
- Trim leaves from that position of stem, which will be under water.
- Put the cut flowers bought from a florist in water and let them stand in the refrigerator for an hour or more. The coolness will revive the flowers.
- 1/4tsp of bleach can be added into the vase.
For Roses:
Cut stem at a slant, cut again under water and give good drink of water for a couple of hours and then arrange.
To revive old stems, cut end at a slant, burn end for half an inch till it is red-hot and then plunge it neck deep in cold water and keep in a cool dark place for a few hours. Avoid sunshine, heat and draught.
Change water in arrangements every third day.
Pour water in vases everyday.
Trim leaves from that position of stem, which will be under water.
