how to condition flowers (1)

Although the shelf life of cut flowers is short, taking proper care would help them to last longer. Scroll down for more details on how to condition hydrangeas and roses. 

Tools required: floral scissors or garden shears, flower food, Quick Dip, rose stripper

Hydrangeas care and handling:

1. Prepare a vase or bucket of warm water and mix it with the proper amount of flower food (follow the directions written on the container).
2. Remove plastic or paper around the flowers and possibly any damaged leaves and florets. 
3. Make a slanted cut with sharp knife or garden shears and repeat that on the other side of each stem, set them right down into the water and let them drink overnight before starting to design (absolute minimum two hours but overnight is even better).
4. If hydrangeas are slightly dehydrated, give them an instant hydration treatment by using Quick Dip. Pour 1 to 2 inches of the solution in a small container and give them clean cuts at an angle then, dip them into it for 1 second before setting them down into the vase.
5. On the other hand, if hydrangeas are in a severely stressed condition, give them angled cuts, use Quick Dip, immerse 1 inch of the stems in boiling water and let them cool to room temperature. 

Roses care and handling:

1. Wholesale roses come tightly wrapped in a bundle. The longer the stems, the larger the blooms. Choose roses that have crisp and firm petals, buds that are in different stages of blooming and with strong stems.
2. Start by immediately unwrapping.
3. Use a rose stripper and gently pull down each stem.
4. Remove all thorns and foliage (you can keep the top few foliage too).
5. Examine the roses carefully and only remove the outermost guard petals that are terribly unsightly or badly damaged as they serve as a protection to the inner petals.
6. Cut the stems at least 0.5 inch at 45-degree angle.
7. Dip them in a small container of Quick Dip solution and place them in a vase or bucket of lukewarm water mixed with flower food. Alternatively, use warm water to make roses open up faster.