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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Cutting Flowers & Pharsalia



A couple of weeks ago I had the great pleasure of visiting Pharsalia.  Pharsalia is a working plantation home built in 1814 in Nelson County Virginia.  The views are absolutely breathtaking. 

Pharsalia

A Popular Wedding Destination

Foxie with her flowers

 It was my first time to Pharsalia, and I was not disappointed!  We spent the day with Foxie Morgan the lady of the house learning tips on how to cut flowers, walking her gardens and eating an amazing lunch prepared by her gracious daughter and staff.

Grounds at Pharsalia
  Here are a few tips I took from the day. When CUTTING FLOWERS from your garden...

1. Cut early in the morning (overcast, damp mornings are best)

2. Use clean tools and a plastic pail.  Use a mild bleach solution to cut the bacteria that will form on the inside of pail, and on tools.

3. Cut the flower on an angle, and place immediately into warm water. Flowers take up warm water faster than cold water

ARRANGING FLOWERS...

1. Re cut stem on an angle

2. Use a flower food like ProFlowers to encourage long lasting bloom.

3. Re cut stems after a few days, and change the water to reduce bacteria.

4. Stripe all leaves off flower below water line to cut down on bacteria.




My last tip when arranging flowers, use a floral frog. (Can you see it in bottom of my glass container?)  They help keep the flowers upright and in the place you desire.  Floral frogs come in all shapes and sizes. 



Enjoy!  As always I would love to hear your thoughts, or if you have any questions, please leave a comment.

Rebekah

P.S.  If you like the pillow you see in the picture above send us an email and we'll get your custom order in the works!

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8 comments:

  1. Your photos are soooo very pretty. I love the peonies. Thanks for the tips on cutting and arranging flowers. Lovin all the old flower frogs. I have a couple of those myself....but they only sit and look pretty by themselves. I haven't really used them. 8-)

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  2. You created a beautiful arrangement.

    I think Pharsalia is probably one of the prettiest places in the state of VA. You are lucky to get to spend a day with Foxie to learn some new things.

    I had a surprise 16th b-day party at Pharsalia long ago given to me by Foxie's sweet niece.

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  4. GIRLS...I live in southern Arizona and NEVER see flowers this pretty! Love the post, and awarding you with the Liebster Blog Award. You can check out your feature at www.mywhiteelephant.blogspot.com!

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  5. Beautiful, but I'd clicked through from CSI expecting a lamp project. Maybe next time.

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  6. Hi Rebekah, what a beautiful place. I have visited a couple of plantations in S. Carolina and enjoyed the gorgeous grounds. I have not heard of this one before, but loved the picture. Thanks for sharing the cutting tips. I knew #1 and #3, but have never used bleach. I love your beautiful arrangement and guess who wants to find a few frogs now? Thanks so much for sharing with Share Your Cup.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  7. I loved this post! I read it slowly, drinking in all of the lush photos and wishing I was there. I featured it today!

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