Why cut flowers at an angle?
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- By Annelies
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Why cut flowers diagonally? Is this important for all flowers? What is the best way to cut the flowers? I would like to explain it to you.
Why cut flowers diagonally? Is this important for all flowers? What is the best way to cut the flowers? I would like to explain it to you.
Many people enjoy a beautiful bouquet of flowers immensely. Whether you received the bouquet as a gift or you treated yourself, it is always nice to be able to enjoy a beautiful bouquet for as long as possible.
Flowers and water
First the basics: Flowers grow and bloom because they have roots. They get nutrients and water from the soil. These important nutrients and minerals go all the way to the flower(s). But because soil in a glass vase makes so much mess, special cut flowers have been grown! The loose flowers that you can buy, with sturdy stems that can survive without roots.
The small channels in the stem ensure that the water is transported. In order to provide the flower with nutrients, there must be channels available that absorb the moisture. When a stem is cut, a kind of injury occurs in the root system. The flower or plant will quickly form a crust on this, which means that less water is absorbed (as in our case with a wound).
Is false cutting important for all flowers?
For almost most flowers, it is advisable to cut them diagonally, just before you put them in the vase. Tulips are the big exception! With this type of flower, it is important to cut them. Instead of false cutting, do this straight. Tulips are flowers that absorb a lot of water. They continue to grow, even in the vase. If there is a lot of moisture present, the tulip will grow faster, which will make your bouquet of flowers look less attractive. For all other flowers, you can simply follow the advice to cut the stem diagonally.
What is the best way to cut the flowers?
The technique for cutting flowers is simple. Follow the steps below and your flowers will be completely happy in no time.
1. Make sure you have a sharp knife
2. Grab the stem and make sure you place the knife on the stem, approximately 2 cm above the end of the stem.
3. Bring the knife towards you, but be careful! Don't shoot out.
4. Then place the flowers directly in water in a vase, preferably supplemented with cut flower food.
It is often thought that pruning shears are a good alternative for this, but this is not the case. The pruning shears squeeze the stem together more firmly, which hinders the supply of moisture. A sharp knife does not have this effect and ensures that the stem remains optimally open. If you make a straight wound, the absorption is much less. The result may be that your well-intentioned wound is still too small for your flowers and that they droop. Diagonal cutting is therefore always best!
Advantages of cutting diagonally?
It has already been mentioned several times why it is important to cut flowers diagonally. An optimal moisture supply ensures that the flowers stay fresh for as long as possible. After all, you want to continue to enjoy your beautiful bouquet of flowers! Depending on the weather and the type of flowers, the flowers can sometimes shine at you for weeks! That's what you do it for, isn't it?
Asking you Firenzebloemen.be
Ask us if I want to cut it diagonally... is a "no go". Many people won't do that, it simply doesn't make sense if you can't put it in water immediately. You usually get a no, unless you can transport it with water. Even if you're home in no time, not even 3 minutes... the diagonally cut stem is closed again. The stem loves water and nutrients, but bacteria etc. don't. The result is that when there is a wound on the stem, it prefers to work like crazy to close the wound. Self-protection through and through!
The moral therefore
So it's a bit of a job to cut diagonally... but it's so worth it! Because getting limp flowers is not so nice! Flowers need water to absorb nutrients. You can only make a good wound with a sharp knife. You only make a wound when you have everything ready so that the flowers can go straight into the water.
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