Evening star., 1936-07-04
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES Z. TRACEWELL.

/ the many interesting books on the sub
ject.
Once the flowers are arranged in a
given vase to the satisfaction of the
arranger, 1t is just as we'll to let them
alone until they wither naturally.
We saw this tried out recently with
two vases Of that fine gladious, Picardy,
with the finest results. At the end of
eight days, without change of water, but
with enough added to make up for
evaporation. the vases Of flowers we're
still beautiful.
This variety, really species, of gladious,
is, Of course, magnificent keeper, as
we'll as lovely flower. Still it could not
have been in any better shape, had its
stem been sliced every morning, and a
completely fresh supply of water given.
The old idea was that the chemicals
in water clogged up the pores in the cut
stem, and that the milky appearance of
the water did other inimical things to
the petals. 1t must be kept in mind
that cut flowers are dying flowers, but
1t is dying with difference, after all.
Our belief is that the pores are not so
closed, in any real sense, and that very
little if any harm comes through the
milky water. Appearance alone speaks
against the latter, but this is obviated
by an opaque vase. A little fresh water
daily keeps things under control.
In hot weather all cut flowers should
be removed to a porch at night where
they can get the benefit of cooler air.
This helps keep them fresh in a won-
derful way.
Do not be too ready to cut off faded
blossoms. Faded flowers if not too far
gone, have quiet beauty. The japanese
even have a name for faded white
ysanthemums," which they regard as
highly beautiful Often the contrast
afforded by partly withered blossoms
with perfectly fresh ones has beauty
all its own.
1t may be that there are some persons
who honestly like 'fooling" over the cut
specimens every day, cutting off the
stems, cleaning the containers. filling
them with water, arranging the stalks
and blooms anew.
If so, the standard way of caring for
them is o. K, and they will get re-
newed pleasure daily. But it seems TO
us that it is largely waste of time. that
the specimens are even hurt by so much
handling.
Let us keep in mind that the stems
and their flowers have been shipped from
the plant, and no longer get the help of
the plant roots. Water is the substitute,
not a very good one. it is true, but one
which will do, for all the time necessary,
since no plant abSorbs food except in
solution.
The charm of cut flowers, properly
arranged, is good for several days. With
certain types, such as the chrysanthe-
mum, they remain in good shape for at
least 10 days.
Most flowers used in vases have life
in the cut state of from three or four
days to a week, at the longest. If they
are permitted to remain in a stuffy liv-
ing room overnight in Summer, their
usable life will be very short. in some
cases not being more than two to three
days.
We have never been able to see that
any of the chemical additions do much
ii any good in this respect. Still, it is
an appealing experiment, and some one
may hit on something some day.
In the meantime, try arranging once
and for all, then permitting the vase to
stand for its life as a composition. Do
flowers, use more containers. Try not
bothering them. after they have been
arranged. Maybe you will be surprised.