Very informative website. Just hoping to get some further advice when using bouquet holders: 1)How long should they be soaked in water for before use? 2)How far should the flower stems be inserted into the foam? Your help would be most appreciated.
You should lay your foam bouquet holders on top of water that has been treated with a flower preservative. The holder will sink slowly as the foam absorbs water. Do not force it under the water, as this could create "dry pockets" in the foam that can be death to a flower stem if it is in the dry area.
Insert the flower stems about 1" or so into the foam - deep enough to be secure. If inserted too deeply, the stems will begin hitting each other and not allowing the insertion of more flowers.
I always secure my final bouquet (be sure it's done first!) with a stem adhesive like Floralock. It is a spray with a long red straw stem that you insert deeply into the bouquet, give short squirts. Do not overdo - or the glue will run down the holder making it sticky.
Always finish with a sealant such as Finishing Touch. This seals and hydrates the petals, helping them stay fresher and avoiding the "transparency" that is common to lilies and orchids if the flower is in distress.
