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J is the host of the first nationwide TV show that is all about flowers. His mission to share his knowledge and love of flowers with everyone he meets is the cornerstone of his public television show, “J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom", which features tips for arranging, recipes, projects, crafts and adventures with flowers.
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Floral arranging as easy as 1, 2, 3....
Here's how to have fun with flowers and get results that will make you look like a pro.
Step 1: Getting Started
Use a bypass cutter or garden pruner and cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. Fill a clean vase with cold water and mix in the little packet of flower food. Remove any foliage from the flowers that would sit below water level.
Step 2: Arranging Your Flowers
Cut your stems shorter so the head sits just above the lip of the vase. Choose a vase with a narrower neck and a larger bottom. Start with seven blooms placed around the lip of the vase. Then place four flowers in the middle of the first seven, leaving those four stems a bit longer when you trim the ends. Place the last stem in the middle four, leaving its stem slightly longer than the second group of four.
Step 3: Caring for Your Flowers
Mix up an extra container of flower food and keep it in the refrigerator to keep it cold. Don’t change water unless it’s cloudy or stinky. Check your flowers daily and add cold flower water as needed. Avoid sunlight, heat sources and fans as these conditions can dehydrate your flowers.