What technique is used to prolong the life of cut flowers?

The technique used to prolong the life of cut flowers is conditioning. Conditioning involves several methods to prepare flowers for optimal water uptake and hydration, which in turn helps maintain their freshness and longevity. This process typically includes cutting the stems at an angle, removing any leaves that would be submerged in water, and placing the flowers in a suitable solution, often one that contains preservatives.

By ensuring that the stems are cut properly and that the flowers are kept in an appropriate environment, conditioning helps to prevent bottlenecking of the vascular system, prevents bacterial growth, and allows flowers to take in nutrients efficiently. As a result, flowers can retain their beauty and vitality for a longer period.

While pruning, harvesting, and arranging all play important roles in floral care and design, they do not specifically address the immediate needs of cut flowers in terms of prolonging their freshness like conditioning does. Pruning is related to the overall health of plants in their growing environment, harvesting involves the cutting of flowers from the plant, and arranging focuses on the aesthetic presentation of the flowers once cut.