How to Clean Flowers for a Floral Arrangement

The artistry of fresh floral arrangements reflects a sense of style with a balance of colors, texture and size. Whether using flowers cut from a home garden or bought from the florist, the artist can maximize enjoyment by extending the life of the arrangement. Follow a few simple steps when cutting and preparing the flowers.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Container
• Water
• Pruning sheers

1. Select and gather fresh flowers for the centerpiece. Remove dead or browning leaves and petals.

2. Fill a wide container or sink with warm water. Use a sharp pair of pruning sheers to cut the stems to the desired length one at a time, at an angle, under water. Different types of flowers require different types of stem preparation.

3. Strip the stem of all foliage or thorns under water or in florist foam. Slip a woody stem from the bottom up about 3 inches to ensure proper water absorption. Burn the ends of the stem for up to 3 seconds to prevent clogged pores of flowers with milky sap.

4. Place the flowers in room temperature water for immediate use. Refrigerate the flowers in water for later use.

5. Choose an arrangement container and materials and arrange your flowers.