Stems

It is common knowledge that every flower has a stem, but did you know that there are several varieties of stems?  Knowing what kind of stem a flower possesses is important to floral arrangers and gardeners alike. In knowing what kind of stem a flower possesses, an individual who is gardening can ensure the maximum growth and health of any flowers planted.  Likewise, those who are arranging flowers will know how to properly care for and handle their freshly cut blooms.

Some flowers possess thick stems; such stems are often referred to as hardy stems or hearty stems.  Flowers like snapdragons, marigolds, and the sunflower all produce thick stems that help them maintain their stature.  With species like the snapdragon, gardeners benefit in knowing that such blooms, despite their thick stems, grow relatively tall and may require staking to support them.  Likewise, the floral arranger will benefit in knowing that fresh cut blooms with hardy stems will require specially cut angles so that the blooms can receive adequate nutrients.

Certain species of flowers possess stems that are hollow inside.  Such knowledge is beneficial to a floral arranger; when arranging flowers the designer will need to fill the stems with sufficient water before they begin to arrange them.  Also, with hollow stemmed flowers like amaryllis and dahlias, a designer will want to maintain an adequate level of water in whatever container they use; because the stems are hollow, such plants require more watering than others.  Likewise, this knowledge benefits the gardener who plans to cultivate a flower that possesses hollow stems.

Certain species of plants, like the Lilac, produce hard, branch-like stems.  Thus, such stems will require specially cutting scissors designed for floral harvesting.  Additionally, when arranging such plants, the arranger will need to snip the end of the stem by creating, what is referred to as a “split”.  A split is cut vertically on the stem and thereby provides a larger area for the fresh cut flower to feed from.

Flowers like the Daffodil have stems that produce sap.  With sap producing stems, such flowers require added care, especially if freshly cut.  Flowers with sap filled stems require that they be cut at an angle ever few days so that they can maintain maximum health: sap tends to create obstructions in the bottom of the step and thereby prevent adequate feeding.

With flowers that possess sap producing stems, it becomes necessary to change the water frequently: at least every few days.  What’s more, certain sap producing species create a sap that is toxic to other plants; the sap from daffodils will quickly destroy an arrangement of flowers if they are not set apart from the arrangement for at least 24 hours.  Thus, a floral arranger should be extremely careful when they combine certain sap producing plants with other flowers.

Finally, regardless of the type of stem a flower possesses, all stems need to be cut properly: not only to properly feed the fresh cut blooms, but also to prevent any severe damage to the mother plant from occurring.  Thus, before cutting any flowers, be sure you know what kind of stem your bloom possesses and the required cutting procedure for your particular flowers.  In the end, it will protect your flowers and all your hard gardening work will not come to naught.