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By Robert Laurence
Making Cut Flowers Live Longer
Cut harvested flowers twice, once when taking them from the garden and again
inside. Hold the stems underwater to eliminate air bubbles in the stems. Then
make a 1 inch long to 2 inch long vertical cut through each stem with a sharp
knife.
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Double the life of flowers by cutting their stems at a long slant. They'll
absorb more water that way and you'll brighten your home with their extra
freshness.
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After picking flowers, preferably in the early morning, condition cut flowers
in hot or cold water overnight in a dark place, and they'll last much longer.
After arranging, display in a spot out of direct sunlight.
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Another authority recommends this way to keep cut flowers fresh: add a lump
of sugar or camphor to the water.
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Flowers will keep longer if the leaves below the water are removed. Decaying
vegetable matter poisons the water.
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Cut flowers thrive on fresh air. Let fresh air into the room where they are
kept daily, but avoid direct drafts. It is safest, also, to keep them away from
direct heat, as well as from the direct hot rays of the sun.
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If cut flowers are kept in a very warm room, move them to a cool place each
night. Keep them away from warmth whenever they are not on display.
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Even four day old roses can keep on radiating beauty in your home if properly
cared for. Cut their stems very short, eliminating most of the leaves, and set
them in a thick cluster in a shallow bowl.
Free and Easy Dried Flowers
The easiest way to preserve flowers for beautiful arrangements is air drying.
Just strip the leaves off the stems, tie six or so in a bunch (making sure the
heads don't touch) and hang them upside down in a dry airy room for 4 14 days
(depending on the flowers) until they dry. Plants that do particularly well for
this easy type of drying include:
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ageratum dusty miller pussywillow
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allium globe amaranth Queen Anne's lace
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artemisia goldenrod silver dollars
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baby's breath grasses strawflower
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bridal wreath heather tamarisk
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canna leaves hydrangea tansy
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cattails lavender wheat
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cockscomb oak leaves yarrow
daisy
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