Scanned from the bottom of a column of advice in a catalogue of a dahlia merchant. I remember being advised to cut flowers while holding the stem under water to prevent air from entering the water transport channels, but I've never heard this advice re immersion of the stem in hot water for a long time. I could try Googling this, but I expect some reader will know the answer and can explain the biology.
Cut your stem at a 45-degree angle and hold in boiling water. The hot water forces the oxygen out of the stem and you'll see the tiny bubbles popping up. Once the bubbles taper off you can plunge the flowers straight into fresh water to keep them healthy. They'll be able to drink up perfectly! Don't leave the stems in too long or they'll cook and disintegrate. With short-stemmed plants, take care to keep the flower heads away from the steam. Searing involves placing the bottom 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) of the cut steams in boiling water, this increases the surface area available for the flower to use to absorb water and results in a more turgid and upright stem.Cut your stem at a 45-degree angle and hold in boiling water. The hot water forces the oxygen out of the stem and you'll see the tiny bubbles popping up. Once the bubbles taper off you can plunge the flowers straight into fresh water to keep them healthy. They'll be able to drink up perfectly! Don't leave the stems in too long or they'll cook and disintegrate. With short-stemmed plants, take care to keep the flower heads away from the steam. Searing involves placing the bottom 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) of the cut steams in boiling water, this increases the surface area available for the flower to use to absorb water and results in a more turgid and upright stem.
ReplyDeleteSearing involves placing the bottom 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) of the cut steams in boiling water, this increases the surface area available for the flower to use to absorb water and results in a more turgid and upright stem. The stems need to be cauterized in order to seal in the sap. Immerse the fresh cut stem ends in boiling water for ten seconds; water will be absorbed through the cell walls of the stems. Solid woody stems that do not exude sap do not require cauterization.
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