Dec
12
Written by:
Sandra Simpson
12/12/2005 8:06 AM
1. If you put fresh-cut flower stems in warm water they will stay fresher longer than when you put them in cold water and, yes, just a little Clorox will help keep the bacteria from clouding the water.
2. When using floral foam to hold flowers in place, you don’t have to use florist tape to tie down the bricks of foam in the vase you are using. Just cut and stuff a few extra pieces of the foam in the container until it is secure.
3. Sometimes fresh flowers will “pit” copper and silver dishes that are being used as floral containers. If you spray the containers with Pam cooking spray before you fill it with flowers this will prevent oxidation between the flowers and the metal. Of course, test the container with the Pam first.
4. When you use a glass container in which you put fruit and leaves under water, spray them with Pam first, let them dry and then submerge them under water.
5. To keep fruit fresh when using it for arrangements dip the floral picks in oil of cinnamon or oil of cloves before you stick it in the fruit. This will keep the fruit fresh for much longer.
6. If you are using fresh fruit for an arrangement out-of-doors you can keep the bees away and keep cut fruit from turning brown by spraying the fruit with a product called “Fixtaf”. This is used by artists to protect their pencil, pastel and chalk drawings. They sell it online and at A.C. Moore.
7. One of the best tips of the day is where to buy good scissors to use in your flower garden and while arranging flowers. Mr. Morgan buys his scissors from an Asian Market. Several of the ladies in the audience agreed that their shears from an Asian Market were the best. I found a pair at the Grand Asian Market on Buck Jones Road in Raleigh. Look for the ones that are made of advanced alloy and have handles that are bowed out. The Asian markets may have the best scissors but the best scissor sharpener I have found is at Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts at Crossroads in Cary.
It is what they use for keeping their shears sharp.
www.ronmorgandesigns.com/books.htm
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