Disney gardening specialist Mark Maynes explains how to create a beautiful, long-lasting floral display in this enlightening feature. Use long-lasting plants that have vibrant color and long stems. Good choices include delphinium, snapdragons, foxgloves, gardenias, roses, daylilies (though each bloom lasts only a day, subsequent buds on the same stem will continue to open), tulips and Gerbera daisies (figure A). Use a vase that will be in proportion to your flowers -- that is, don't use a three-foot flower stem with a 10-inch vase. For an upright arrangement and fewer flowers, use narrow-necked vases. Cut the flowers early in the morning or before the weather gets hot. Make an angled cut, using pruners or shears and dip the stem immediately in water. (Don't forget to take a pail of water with you.) If you're cutting woody stems, smash the stem ends before placing them in the water. For the center of the arrangement, start with something tall, such as a delphinium. Strip any leaves that would be submerged. Also snip or shave the thorns off roses; slice downward using a knife, pruning shears (figure B) or commercially available rose strippers. As you add more flowers to the arrangement, turn the vase so you can see it from every angle. Add a floral powder for longer-lasting blooms. Change the water every two or three days and resnip the stems at this time to help them continue absorbing water.
RESOURCES :
Complete Guide to Flower Arranging
Model: 078943752X
Author: Jane Packer
(1999)
DK Publishing - Main Office
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-213-4800
Fax: 212-213-5240
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