Gaura for cut flowers?

**WPG** · 27-07-2014, 08:44 AM

Have you tried searing the cut stems? I tend to do it for all my flowers, just in case (though most flowers don't really need it). When you take the flowers home, put the stems in a half cup of just-boiled water for about 30 seconds. I'm not sure of the science of it, but I've found it does help flowers like bluebells to stop drooping...I don't know if Gaura are the same.

**Martin H** · 27-07-2014, 08:46 AM

Hi Uncle,

Have you tried the standard routine of sinking them up to their necks in warm water for a couple of hours immediately after cutting? I find that this works for most flowers (although not poppies).

For my allotment I completely fill a watering can when I arrive, cut my flowers and put them in the can. Then I go about my other jobs and by the time I am ready to go home for lunch the flowers have had a good long soak. I wrap them in paper to keep the stems moist until I get home.

**Martin H** · 27-07-2014, 08:49 AM

Originally posted by WPG View Post

Have you tried searing the cut stems? I tend to do it for all my flowers, just in case (though most flowers don't really need it). When you take the flowers home, put the stems in a half cup of just-boiled water for about 30 seconds. I'm not sure of the science of it, but I've found it does help flowers like bluebells to stop drooping...I don't know if Gaura are the same.

Poppies are the only thing I do searing on at the moment. I don't think it should be necessary for Gaura because it doesn't "leak" when cut. Could be a last resort though.

**WPG** · 27-07-2014, 09:11 AM

I think you're right Martin, it's not really needed for most flowers. I watched a few Sarah Raven you-tube videos on flower-arranging, and copied it from her, but I couldn't remember which flowers she said are essential to sear.

The other thing she advises is as you'd said, to sink flowers up to their necks in water - she advises to leave them like this overnight if possible to rest the flowers before arranging ( I never have the patience to wait).

The other thing is to add some acidity to the vase water - sometimes I add a squirt of lemon juice. I think this is to prevent bacteria from rotting the stems. Some people also add sugar to the water, I don't know why - personally I don't bother.

**unclefudgly** · 27-07-2014, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by Martin H View Post

Hi Uncle,

Have you tried the standard routine of sinking them up to their necks in warm water for a couple of hours immediately after cutting? I find that this works for most flowers (although not poppies).

For my allotment I completely fill a watering can when I arrive, cut my flowers and put them in the can. Then I go about my other jobs and by the time I am ready to go home for lunch the flowers have had a good long soak. I wrap them in paper to keep the stems moist until I get home.

Thanks Martin, funny you should mention filling the watering can, as I now remember my grandfather doing the very same thing when I was a lad. I'll try it next time I go down.

Cheers

**unclefudgly** · 27-07-2014, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by WPG View Post

Have you tried searing the cut stems? I tend to do it for all my flowers, just in case (though most flowers don't really need it). When you take the flowers home, put the stems in a half cup of just-boiled water for about 30 seconds. I'm not sure of the science of it, but I've found it does help flowers like bluebells to stop drooping...I don't know if Gaura are the same.

Thanks WPG I'll try it if all else fails. Cheers

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Gaura for cut flowers?

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