GATHERING FLOWERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 41, 18 February 1937, Page 24

GATHERING FLOWERS

HOW AND WHEN TO PICK

THEM

If you pay attention to a lew points when gathering flowers in the garden, the blossoms will last much longer than usual, writes the gardening expert of "The Queen." Peonies should be gathered just before they open and put into water at once. They will be a much better colour and last much longer than if allowed to expand out-of-doors. Peony buds, for a special occasion, may be kept in a cool, dark place for a week or even longer. Irises should be cut in bud just when it is possible to see a small strip of colour from the ■flower. Sweet peas should always be cut with the dew on them. In this way they last much longer and keep their colour better. Rosebuds are best gathered quite early in the morning, taking care to choose welldevaloped buds which are just on the point of opening. It is rather a good plan not to put roses into water at once but to leave them for about half an hour in a cool place before arranging them in vases. Gladioli should always be cut in the late afternoon, care being taken to select stalks on which one or two flowers have opened. Florists allow gladioli to remain in the sun for_ about fifteen minutes, a process which is known as "softening." ' After this they will last especially well in water. Morning Glories should be cut very early in the morning, choosing the buds which are well developed. These, if put away in water, will open on the

breakfast table and provide an interesting spectacle. Many people say that Shirley poppies do not keep well in water. , This is quite a mistake, however, provided they are treated in the right way. As each bloom is gathered, hold the end of the stalk in a candle or gas flame until it is quite charred, then place in water in the ordinary way, and the flowers will last a very long time indeed. All daisy-like flowers such as marguerites, summer chrysanthemums, asters, etc., should be picked when they are fully expanded as these do not open well in water. Dahlias? as a rule, do not keep long in water, but they will do so if the stems are stripped bare at the bottom and then placed in hot water for ten minutes. Keep for a few hours in a dark, cool place before finally arranging in the vases.