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How to Condition Flowers for an Arrangement. Sure, all flowers look great tossed into a
vase without much fuss—but if you toss them in without conditioning them first, they won't
look great for long. You will need Fresh flowers Some warm water A clean bucket A sharp knife
Some bleach And some sugar Hot water (optional) and gardening shears (optional). Step 1. Fill
the clean bucket a third of the way with lukewarm water. If your flowers are a little droopy,
or you want them to open up right away, use hot water—they'll absorb it more quickly.
Step 2. Add a few drops of bleach and 1 teaspoon of sugar per quart of water, and set the bucket
aside. The sugar provides nutrients for the flowers, and the bleach rids the water of
any bacteria. Step 3. Remove any leaves that will end up underwater in the vase. Weak leaves
can be plucked by hand. Cut tougher leaves with a sharp knife, being careful not to damage
the stem in the process. Submerged leaves will rot, encouraging bacteria and shortening
the life span of the arrangement. Step 4. Remove any thorns with a sharp knife or garden
shears, being careful not to damage the stems. Step 5. Cut at least 1 inch from the base
of the stem at a 45-degree angle with a sharp pair of garden shears, making the cut as clean
and smooth as possible. Step 6. Place each flower in the prepared bucket as soon as you
cut its stem—the longer it takes, the more likely that air bubbles will seal off the
passageways for water. Step 7. Continue conditioning each flower one at a time until they are all
in the bucket. Step 8. Set the bucket in a cool place out of direct sunlight, and away
from fruits, vegetables, exhaust fumes, and cigarette smoke—all of which contain or
emit chemicals toxic to flowers. Most flowers—except tropical varieties—will last longest at
temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Step 9. Let the flowers drink for several
hours before arranging, especially if they've come straight from your garden. Ideally, you
should cut them in the evening, condition them overnight, and wake up to beautiful,
strong flowers ready for the vase. Did you know An old wives' tale says that if a single
man plucks a dewy bachelor's button, places it in his pocket for 1 day, and the flower
remains blue, he will have a happy marriage.