Marjorie Schiebel and Sue Christensen will discuss the history of and demonstrate how to make “Tussy-mussies”. Members are asked to bring their own selection of flowers (plus a few extra for those in need).
Connie Hoge wrote some in depth instructions:
“For Tussie Mussies you want small flowers. Not short, but ping pong ball size and smaller. Not Dandelions- they wilt. Spike shapes are good, if they are compact. Herb flowers and foliage are great, as are other nice smelling things. Cluster forms are good, just remember that they should be small.
Cut your flowers on Tuesday, if possible. If you are picking them in the early morning, before it warms up, water them the night before. If you will pick them early Tuesday evening be sure to water them deeply in the middle of that same day.
Take a bucket (jar, pitcher, whatever) that has several inches of water in it out into the garden with you. The idea is to get the cut stems into water immediately. And be sure your scissors are clean and sharp. Cut the stems rather long. Take them inside out of the sun for the next step.
To condition, remove the leaves and trim the stems one by one. Then quickly stand each flower in water almost up to their chins. You can cut all the stems to the same length if that makes them easier to manage, but leave them long enough to cut again later. You can use those little packets of flower food in the water, it helps. Just be sure to mix it according to the directions. Or try home brew- mix a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of bleach into a gallon of water and use that. Then put them in a cool dark place overnight. Probably not the fridge because unless yours is over 40 years old that would dry them out.
Foliage should be laid under water for about 4 hours, then stand it with just the petioles (leaf stems) in water. Fuzzy foliage, however, should not be submerged.
On Wednesday, you can pour out about half or more of the water so your bucket’s not so heavy.
Be sure to bring sharp scissors or small clippers, too. “
The above method of preparing cut flowers is a good reminder of how to proceed for most projects involving flower arrangements.
