How many hours before assembly should flowers be conditioned?

Conditioning flowers is a crucial step in preparing them for assembly into corsages and boutonnieres. Conditioning allows the flowers to hydrate and recover from any stress they may have experienced, ensuring they are in their best possible condition for the final arrangement.

The recommended timeframe for conditioning flowers is at least three hours before assembly. This duration is typically sufficient for most types of flowers to absorb the water they need and regain turgidity, which ultimately enhances their appearance and longevity once they are arranged. In this process, the flowers are generally placed in clean water and may be treated with a booster solution to facilitate hydration further.

Conditioning for a shorter time, such as one or two hours, may not provide the flowers with enough time to adequately absorb water, potentially leading to wilted or lifeless blooms in the finished product. Likewise, while four hours may seem beneficial for some varieties to maximize hydration, the standard recommendation aligns with conditioning for at least three hours for optimal freshness and durability in corsages and boutonnieres.