Flower Arrangement

Lesson 08 : Conditioning cut flowers and foliage

Introduction

A flower or leaf cut from a plant has a short, though beautiful life. It is possible to prolong this for a little while by a few simple methods. Some flowers and leaves with before they reach the end of their normal lives but this can usually be avoided with little care. Wilting occurs when a cut leaf or flower becomes short of water. Therefore to help floral material to last, some conditioning is necessary. Conditioning or treatment refer to the preparation of cut plant material for a long life, the filling of stems with water and the prevention of wilt, so in most of the cases just a good drink of water and the removal of some foliage is all that is needed, but some material must be conditioned, especially if it is to extend to its full lasting power. The methods used for conditioning are ‘bassed’, ‘burned’, ’spilt’, ‘peelend’ or ‘boiled’. If cut flowers are purchased from the florists they attend to this as soon as the material comes from the market or grower. Since florist flowers travel and out of water during the journey it is wise to condition them. Garden flowers need more preparation than florist flowers.

Florists long lasting flowers are

• Achillea - Arum
• Agapanthus - Chrysanthemum
• Allium - Clivia
• Alstroemeria - Eiremurus
• Anemous - Exyupium
• Anthurium - Freesia
• Gladiolus -Gerbera