Does anyone have any pointers on ow to keep fresh Christmas greens beautiful and lasting inside the house?
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I love the fragrances fresh Christmas greens add to the holiday mood, but I hate how quickly a beautiful creation turns ragged in a matter of days. All of my arrangements are created using oasis and are spritzed daily, but no matter how much attention I give the cedar, pine, spruce and holy branches, they start to wilt and dry up way before Christmas. I would so appreciate any helpful hints on how to preserve these beauties.
5 answers
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In wood working one common thing to slow the drying of wood is to coat it with wax. I have purchased "green" turning blanks that were coated on all 6 sides. When wood dries quickly if can often crack. I have found that some of these blanks turn just the same as fresh when they are 6 months or more old. Dipping the ends of fresh cut stems into the wax should help. One product that I use on hardwood decking is called Anchor seal. We keep our home much cooler than most folks...58 to 60, hot and dry will always speed the demise.
KMS Woodworks
on Dec 03, 2012
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I would soak them in water overnight before using them. And you could try an anti-transpirant like WIlt-Proof.
Douglas Hunt
on Dec 04, 2012
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Thanks a bunch KMS and Douglas!
Vanessa Canevaro
on Dec 04, 2012
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For trees, When using a fresh cut tree, you need to cut the bottom off of the tree at least four or five inches then put directly into water. Much like flowers if you leave the stems out of the water for any length of time the cellular wall structure will harden and prevent the stems, and in this case the tree trunk from soaking water back up keeping it fresh longer. Additives from what I have been told do nothing. Just keep fresh water all the time at least up two inches above the bottom of the tree trunk. Prevent hot air or warm air currents from hitting the tree if at all possible. Try to keep the room cooler as well. Warmer rooms tend to dry the needles making the tree draw more water. For branches you need to cut ones off a fresh tree if at all possible. Because the branches are not going to be soaking in water like the tree, they need to be soaked as Douglas Hunt said. Prior to doing this much like the tree, you need to cut the first few inches off to allow the water to soak into the branch. And much like the tree, keeping the area cooler if at all possible will extend the time before the branches begin to loose their needles. Lastly long needle pines tend at least from our families experience to hold their needles longer then the short needle pines do. Good luck and happy holidays!
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Dec 05, 2012
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Thanks Woodbridge Environmental, very good info!
Vanessa Canevaro
on Dec 05, 2012
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