Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-06
CUTTING FLOWERS
FOR THE HOUSE

Flowers keep best when cut in the early
morning. for then the stems contain more
sap than later in the day. There are
other points to be remembered, though,
and different flowers have different char
acterfstics. Peonies should he cut when
only partially developed. II cut when
the blossoms are half opened and placed
at once In water they viii keep for
week or more. gradually opening TO their
fullest extent The water should be
changed each day. however. and half an
inch cut from the stem. Peonies make
gorgeous displays when shown in large
bowls or vases.
Another especially fine cut flower is tho
eladiolus which should always be cut
when the blossom at the bottom OF the
a succession OF bloom until the blossom
at the very top has expanded.
Fresh water Is needed daily and the
stems should be cut as with peonies- In
fact that is a standing rule for most
flowers as taking off a bit OF the stem
allows the flower to absorb water more
readily. Gladioli look best in tall vases
and when not crowded. Each flower spike
is beautiful enough TO be shown on It's
own merits
Dahlias make better cut flowers than
some people realize and may be kept
fresh a long time. Long stems should be
taken and some of the foliage removed.
Then the stems should be placed in hot
water-water which feels hot to the hand
but Is not scalding-and left until the
water cools. after which they may be
placed in vase of cold water to which
a little salt has been added IL the flow
ers are then set in a dark. cool place for
ten or twelve hours they viii keep fresh
and beautiful for surprisingly long time.
With sweet peas IL is necessary TO keep
constantly cutting, otherwise the vines
will stop bearing. Ii is well to cut long
stems and to keep the cut flowers out or
direct sunlight. Sweet peas are especially
pretty when displayed in tall vases with
a few sprays Of gypsophyiia- the feathery
baby's breath. The flowers OF the latter
are very lasting.
Few people think of cutting morning
glories and ordinarily there would be lit
tie excuse for doing SO, but it is pretty
experiment to gather the buds very early
and place them I'm a vase on the break
fast table, watching. them gradually UNI
fold in the course of the meal. At night
the moon flower may be enjoyed In the
same way.
California peoples are good cut flowers
to use in the house late in the season. al
though many garden makers do not think
of them as such. They should be cut
early in the morning and when only part
ly open. They are fine flowers for the
easy-going gardener. as they SOW them
selves and spring up here and there about
the garden. their cheerful faces giving
warmth and color to the landscape.
Nasturtiums are such informal flowers
that they do not show to the best advan-
tage In ordinary vases. They are charm
ing, though, when displayed in small
fish globe, with the stems showing
through the clear giass. Nasturtiums
should be cut freely in order to keep them
coming.
Snapdragons are among the best of cut
flowers. They make an attractive dis
play and have a long season In the gar
den. The stems are long and the flowers
graceful. II cut just as the blossoms be-
gin to open they will continue TO unfold
for several days. 1t is worth knowing
that the handsome snapdragons sold by
the florists in winter map be propagated
by taking slips from the stems or the
cut flowers and roofing them in SAND
These new plants will be ready to bloom
in the garden very early in summer.