Arranging Daffodils

Janis brought me a big handful of daffodils - a sure sign it's almost spring! -  and looking at them reminded me of when we used to take flower arranging classes in the old days (Janis, why did we stop doing that? Judging on how I struggled with a couple Wine and Design classes I took with Candy - click here for one example - I could use some more classes!). I'm remembering a couple of things we learned about flower arranging with daffodils so I thought I'd share...

1) when you cut the stems of daffodils they release a sap that can be harmful to other cut flowers in a mixed arrangement - there's a couple things you can do to stop that from happening (other than just leaving the daffodils out or only doing daffodils!). Trim the stems to the length you want, and put them in a little water treated with floral food, let them set for a few hours before adding them to an arrangement with other flowers. That seals the stem ends so they won't release their sap and mess with the other flowers. Don't recut the stems or you'll have to repeat the above process. Also, if you arrange in a piece of floral foam there is less chance of polluting the water and other flowers.

2) daffodils like to be in shallow water - if  they are placed in deep water the stems can get water logged and shrivel up, and the petals will get papery.

3) this doesn't just apply to daffodils but it's a little trick that works good with their thin stems - line up the tops and hold all of the stems together in your hand, put a rubber band around them (a small clear band is great if you are using a clear glass vase) to hold them together in place, then trim to the length you want. Twist the bunch a little so they sort of spiral a bit and slightly fan out before putting in the vase. The rubber band helps keep them in a tight bunch instead of separating and flopping over.

one year ago: make a paper shamrock wreath card
two years ago: crock-pot white chicken chili