OR Cut stems and place immediately in a quick dip hydration solution. These techniques ensure that water not sir will enter the stem.
Place stems immediately into a floral preservative solution until ready to arrange.
Use a floral preservative in the vase used for the design. If designing in floral foam, soak the floral foam in the floral preservative solution. Always use clean containers and shears or knives. Ready Pull off all stem leaves that will be covered by vase water. In a water-filled basin or bowl submerge flower stems, and cut them diagonally with scissors.