HOW AND WHEN TO PICK FLOWERS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 81, 29 December 1937, Page 5

HOW AND WHEN TO PICK FLOWERS

If you pay attention to a few points when gathering flowers in the garden. the blossoms will last much longer than usual. Peonies should be gathered just before they open and put into watei at once. They will then be a much bett6r colour and last nftich longer than ii allowed to expand out-of-doors. Peonj buds, for a special occasion, may bo kept in a cool, dark place for a week or'even longer. Irises should be cut in bud just when it is possible to see a small strip of colour from the flower. Sweet peas should always be cut with the dew on them. In this way they last much longer and keep their colour bet ter. liosebuds aTe best gathered quite early in the morning, taking care to choose well-devel-oped buds which are just on the point of opening. It is rather a good plan not to put roses into water at once but to leave them for about half an honr in a cool place before arranging them in vases. Gladioli should always be cut in tho late afternoon, care being taken to select stalks on which one or two flowers have opened. Florists allo.w gladioli to remain in the sun for about fifteen minutes a process which is known as ' ' softening. " After this they will last especially well in water. Morning glories should be cut, very early in tho morning, choosing the buds which are weli developed. These, if put away m water, will open on the breakfast table and provide an interesting spectaeiu. Many people say that Shirley poppies do not keep well in water. This ts quite a mistake, however, provided they are treated in the right way. As each bloom is gathered, hold the end of the stalk in a candle or gas flame uutil it is quite charred, then place in water in the ordinary way, and the flowers will last a very long time indeed. All daisy-like flowers such as marguerites, summer chrysanthemums, asters, etc., should be picked when they are fully expanded as they do not open well in water. Dahlias, as a rule, do sn if the stems are stripped bare at the bottom and then placed in hot water for ten minutes. Keep for a few hours in a dark, cool place, before finally arranging in the vases. §* H,