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How many leaves should come off flowers before adding to a vase?

Ask an Expert: Nicole Quigley
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Whether you are cutting flowers from your garden or bringing flowers home from your favourite flower store, be sure to take any leaves off that will go below the waterline of your vase. Let’s take it a step further and take off all the leaves all the way up the stem.

We want any energy that the stem has to go into keeping its bloom as beautiful as possible, so taking off all of the leaves will allow the energy to go where it needs to go and not into the leaves.

Another reason to take all the leaves off is because they fade before the flower does,which often makes the design look like it’s past its prime, when it isn’t. Try spending the extra time to de-leaf your flowers and you will notice a difference.

Nicole Quigley is a qathet-based florist who owns Bloom Therapy.

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