Botanical Knowledge, Conditioning, and Care
Conditioning fundamentals
Conditioning is the process of preparing plant material to take up water and last. Start with clean buckets, clean tools, and a cool, shaded workspace. Remove foliage that would sit below the water line, recut stems at an angle with sharp pruners, and place stems in clean water promptly. A 45-degree cut increases surface area without crushing vascular tissue. Some stems benefit from splitting or a vertical slice; milky-sap stems may be seared or dipped; hollow stems need gentle support. Hydrate in deep, cool water for several hours before design.
Botanical knowledge and traps
Know the difference between ethylene producers and ethylene-sensitive flowers. Ripening fruit, exhaust, and damaged plant material release ethylene; sensitive flowers such as carnations, orchids, and gypsophila may drop buds or petals. Keep flowers away from fruit and exhaust. Tropicals dislike cold storage, while many temperate flowers prefer cool temperatures. Bulb flowers and some spring flowers may be stored cold but not frozen. Toxicity and allergy questions also appear: know that some common plants are irritants or hazardous if ingested.
Worked example and rule of thumb
For roses with bent necks, recut the stem, remove lower foliage, wrap the stem snugly, and hydrate in deep cool water; if the stem is woody, a clean angled cut is better than crushing. Never rely on a preservative to rescue dirty water or unsterile tools. Rule of thumb: clean, cool, cut, and quick-clean vessel and tools, cool storage, fresh angled cut, and immediate hydration. If a flower is ethylene-sensitive, isolate it; if it produces ethylene, keep it out of the cooler with sensitive stock.