The tricks to keeping flower arrangements gorgeous for as long as possible
The prettiest arrangements are properly conditioned and hydrated. (Princeton Architectural Press/)Bringing flowers home from the shop or plucking them from your garden is just the first step in keeping them fresh and lovely in your home. But taking care of a floral arrangement is more than just filling up a pretty bowl with water. You’ve got to care for your plants by protecting them from bacterial growth and wilting through a step called conditioning.Luckily, you don’t need to be an expert florist to make your bouquets last as long as possible—and in some cases, all you’ll need is a cotton ball or a teaspoon of sugar.Cultivated: The Elements of Floral Style, out next week, provides the perfect guide to arranging and maintaining your blooms, and some gorgeous photos for inspiration.The following is an excerpt adapted from Cultivated: The Elements of Floral Style by Christin Geall.Conditioning FlowersThe professional term for postharvest...