May 20, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
393 
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COMING EVENTS 
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Royal Society at 4.80 p.m. 
Crystal Palace Summer Show (2 days). 
4th Sunday after Easter. 
Linnean Society Anniversary Meeting at 8 P.M. 
Royal Horticultural Society—Show of Pot Roses and Azaleas. Emit 
Society of Arts at 8 P.M. [and Floral Committees at 11 a.m. 
FRESH AND FADING FLOWERS. 
OTHING is so tantalising to the decorator as to 
see the flowers he or his assistants set up, wither¬ 
ing in a day or a few hours. Some of the flowers 
may be as fresh as ever, but those that droop so 
spoil the effect that patching becomes necessary, 
which, however much it may improve appear¬ 
ances, is not satisfactory. That some plants 
produce foliage and flowers cf a more enduring 
character than others is well known. I do not 
refer to this now so much as to flowers, whatever may be 
their persistence and enduring nature, fresh until the time 
of their natural decay. Some flowers are so generally em¬ 
ployed that it is a matter of the greatest importance to so 
grow and treat them as to implant enduring qualities. This 
subject is well worth the attention of those who have to pro¬ 
vide flowers for cutting and decoration in quantity and 
successionally in private establishments, whilst to growers 
for sale it is absolutely essential. The flowers that reach the 
decorator in the metropolis and large towns are some time in 
transit to the markets after they are cut by the grower, they 
have to remain until made up, then often have to be sent 
long distances, and yet they arrive as fresh as, if not fresher 
than, many that are furnished by home establishments. It 
is evident that one knows the best treatment to insure lasting 
qualities, and the other does not grow and treat the flowers 
in the manner best calculated to promote enduring 
properties. 
The growers of flowers under glass for cutting must 
realise to the full the absolute necessity of the plants being 
grown in the greatest possible light in every stage, more 
particularly from the time of the flowers being visible to their 
expansion. The plants are then sturdier, their growth fully 
solidified, the foliage and flowers are stouter in texture, and 
the colours more highly intensified. They are not soft in 
texture and flabby as plants and flowers are that are grown at a 
distance from the glass and probably accompanied by shade. 
The endurance of flowers in a cut state depends much upon 
the way in which they have been produced. I know the 
difficulties of gardeners in many private establishments in 
having to supply foliage and flowers for continuous decoration 
with means altogether inadequate to a supply with the 
desirable enduring powers of those produced and supplied by 
the trade. I can cordially sympathise with such in their 
difficulties, and so will those who are chagrined at their flowers 
not lasting so long as other people’s, when they come to 
understand the difference that exists in the growing of flowers 
that last and those that do not keep fresh beyond a few hours. 
There is nothing like trial for solving doubts, and prejudice 
is banished by experience. 
Foliage and flowers for cutting cannot be grown in too 
much light, and this in all the stages of their development, 
the plants standing in positions where every ray from dawn 
to dusk reaches them. A sturdy, robust, character of plant 
must be obtained ere the presistent spray of leaves and bloom 
No. 308. -Vol. XII., Third Series. 
is gained. It is the way to secure plants that will bear 
the dry atmosphere and cold draughts of rooms. The 
endurance of sprays of foliage and bloom, and of flowering or 
other plants, depends on their being well managed in the 
growing stage. It is the alpha and omega of the decorative 
value of plants. High culture, thorough assimilation of food 
supplies by exposure to the fullesc amount of light and air 
consistent with steady progressive growth, is the way to 
secure floriferousness, Bize, substance, and bright colour of 
blooms. There are, of course, exceptions, as some grown in 
a high temperature and in the dark, like Lily of the Valley 
and Lilac—conditions diametrically opposed to those usually 
found indispensable to persistence—remaining fresh and crisp 
when cut or on the plant when exposed to a drier and cooler 
atmosphere. Such, however, are exceptional, and by far 
the greater number of plants grown under glass have endur¬ 
ance in flower in proportion to the way in which they have 
been managed through the time the flowers have been 
developing. Flowers of a smooth or waxy nature, such as 
Camellias and Hyacinths are much more lasting than those of 
thin soft texture. 
Fern fronds and other foliage employed for mixing with 
flowers must be grown “ hard ”— i.e., in plenty of light and air, 
or their persistence is doubtful. Everybody likes to see Ferns 
with deep green foliage, also Palms for decoration, and there 
is no objection to it provided it can be had without taking 
from the endurance when cut; but this can hardlj be effected 
without feeding with soot or other manure rich in ammonia, 
and even then the foliage is much paler than under similar 
condition of culture in shade, and such are of much less 
value for decorative purposes than those that have been 
specially prepared by exposure to the greatest volume of light 
in all the stages of their growth. The persistence of foliage 
employed for mixing with flowers is in exact proportion to 
the measure of good management in the growing stage. How 
frequently is the appearance of otherwise unexceptional 
vases of flowers spoiled by shrivelled Maidenhair ? It is the 
result of taking it from plants in close, moist, shaded houses. 
It looks beautifully green under the conditions it was pro¬ 
duced in, but is poor when exposed to the dry atmosphere of 
the dwelling house. The paler-coloured harder-textured leaf¬ 
age only is suitable for mixing with flowers, and to my think¬ 
ing accords better with the bright colours than very deep 
green does. 
Though growing flowers for endurance is of great impor¬ 
tance, yet it is not everything. The flowers beyond being well 
managed in the growing stages must be properly treated 
afterwards if they are expected to last. All persons experi¬ 
enced with cut flowers know that those stood in water for a 
few hours after being cut and before they are made up, will 
last longer in bouquets, buttonholes, or in any other way 
that necessitates mounting. Some cut flowers and lay them 
in baskets or trays, keeping them out of water for hours 
before they are put in vases, or it may be packed for send¬ 
ing away, and then feel hurt when a complaint is made that 
the flowers want arranging afresh, or that they have travelled 
badly. The point is to cut them fresh and keep them fresh. 
Once let the flowers get limp, and then it takes a long time 
to restore their crispness, if, indeed, they are not parting 
with more moisture through the dry atmosphere than is being 
supplied to them by the withered stems and dried up chan¬ 
nels. Cut in the morning and if the flowers are not wanted 
until evening or at once, be the purpose what it may, place 
them in water without loss of time, and keep them there until 
wanted. Those having next to no flower stem, as Allamanda, 
Stephanotis, &c., should be immersed in water altogether, 
and the more water they absorb the better they resist a dry 
and warm atmosphere. It is called “setting” by the 
bouquetists, and well it answers its purpose. Adiantums 
and all Ferns should be put in broad shallow dishes with 
an inch or so of water, so as to admit of the stems being 
immersed and the fronds or pinnules lying on or in the 
No. 1964.— Vol. LXXIV., Odd Series, 
