By HELEN PAPATHANASIOU

Special to The Press

Janet Vibbert, a floral preparation specialist for Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, presented the program “Flowers: From Acquisition to the Vase” at the Parkland Garden Club’s Feb. 12 meeting.

Vibbert gave the following tips on flower preparations for arrangements to make them last longer:

·Greens give off ethylene gas which harms flowers, so store them separately;

·Another tip she provided was to disposed of large leaves when making an arrangement because the flowers last much longer than the leaves;

·Cutting stems at a 45 degree angle and dipping in Quick Dip will help the stem draw up water faster and the flowers will last longer.

·Cutting rose stems in water prevents air bubbles from forming, which can kill the roses;

·If hydrangeas have started to wilt, putting them in warm water for 20 minutes, and then dipping the cut stems in the spice allium will help perk them back up;

·Hellebores last longer by adding a half cup of alcohol to a gallon of water and Gerber Daisies last longer, a little vinegar is added to the water;

·Keep tulips, daffodils and lilies away from other flowers because they give off a sap that can kill them. Soak their stems in water for a few hours to let the sap seep out, then they can be added to other flowers in the arrangement;

·To keep tulip stems straight, keep the tulips in the plastic wrap that they came in, and just put the tip of the stems in water;

·For bending tulip stems, take them out of the plastic wrap and keep them out of water, before adding them to an arrangement; and

·In the summer when it is hot, add ice to the bucket with the flowers in the morning and keep flowers in an air-conditioned room around 63 degrees. If the stems are kept cold, the flowers will last longer.

Vibbert also made four beautiful arrangements at the meeting, which were then raffled off to club members.

Before closing the meeting, Vibbert told club members she collaborated with floral designer Cres Motzi, AIFD, a Longwood Gardens continuing education instructor, and a team of American Institute of Floral Designers in the exhibit “Sunrise,” which was featured at the Philadelphia Flower Show.

The arrangement was made using bamboo and Orange Heart Gloriosa lilies.