By Lauren Mamane
Flowers are one of the most versatile tools that someone can use for communication. You can express love using them, show appreciation to friends or co-workers, or display your superior sense of aesthetics by placing them in your house...
The uses are varied. However the problem with flowers is that they tend to wither and die after a short time.
The good news is that there are methods by which you can slow the dying process, getting more enjoyment from your flowers.
Although many people are not aware of this fact, plants don't die the moment they are uprooted. They are alive for quite a long time after and may be replanted, as long as the roots are kept intact. Moreover, if they are kept moist, preferably their roots waterlogged, they may survive for quite a long time.
Flowers have the same tendencies. If they are kept moist or wet, they can remain fresh for 4-5 days - sometimes for even as long as a week or two. The length of time they will remain fresh depends on the species of flower, as well as way the flowers are cut.
If the flower has a long stem, it will likely remain fresh for almost as long as it would have, if it had not been removed form the plant in the first place. In fact, roses can survive for almost a week if its stem is kept waterlogged for the duration.
The reason for this is that the stem of the flower contains the Xylem, which is the plant tissue responsible for carrying water through the plant. When the flower is connected to the plant, the Xylem is continuous and draws water from the root. If the flower is cut and the Xylem is kept dipped in water, it will continue to draw water to the flower naturally, keeping the flower fresh as if the flower remained attached to the plant itself.
This is why professional florists mount the flowers and leaves on a sponge when making a bouquet. Many people don't even realize that many boquets have the sponge inside the packaging.
In this manner, you can just water the sponge on which the flowers rest, ensuring that the base of the stem can continue to collect water for transport to the flowers.
At home, you could fill a vase with a little bit of water and place the flowers into it. But, it would be much better to place a small sponge at the bottom of the vase, and embed the base of the stems into the sponge just the way florists would do. This method though efficient, cannot be expected to keep the flowers fresh forever. There are limits...
Buying or plucking the flowers just before your special occasion will keep them fresh for the occasion. But, if you need the flowers to last a bit longer, the sponge and flower vase method will serve you best.
Without constant contact with water, the flowers will generally dry up and wither away in just one or two days.
You should always strive to pluck or purchase your flowers just before the main event or your special occasion, if at all possible. Fresh flowers are just always best.
But not everyone has the luxury of being able to buy flowers freshly cut. Sometimes the sheer scale of an event or a wedding will require flowers to be cut and delivered hours or days before the festivities begin.
If you have to bring the flowers in early, always use refrigeration to store them. It may be a bit more expensive to refrigerate the flowers, but it will extend the life and beauty of the flowers.
By utilizing these flower preservation tips, you will be able to get more life and more enjoyment from every set of flowers you grow or buy in the future.
Lauren Mamane is a full-time floral designer. Licensed by the State of Michigan, the Professional Florists Institute is a private Vocational School offering flower design classes, presented by professional florists. Learn to design flower arrangements at http://www.professionalfloristsinstitute.com/
Source:www.isnare.com |
