Conditioning is the term florists use to mean getting the flowers ready for arranging. By following these few simple steps you can get extra life and pleasure from your flowers.

The Flowers & Plants Association recommends the following simple tips, based on the latest extensive scientific research, to ensure that your flowers last longer and look lovelier:

1. Make sure vases are very clean
2. Use fresh lukewarm water with commercial cut flower food added.
3. Strip all leaves below the water level.
4. Take at least 3cm (1") off all stems, making a slanted cut with a sharp knife or very sharp scissors.
5. Avoid direct sunlight, heat, or draughts which can shorten flowers lives.
6. Keep flowers away from fruit and remove faded flowers as they occur.
7. Top up the water regularly and add flower food in proportion.

Buy flowers from a reputable outlet, and choose blooms with firm petals or with buds that show a degree of colour to ensure the flowers will develop fully.

Ensure the flowers are well wrapped for protection and, if the flowers are to be kept out of water for some hours, ask the florist to cover the stem ends with damp paper, or even to "aquapack" them in their own water ;pod.

Ask for cut flower food if it is not already supplied. This contains the correct ingredients to a) feed the flowers properly, b) keep bacteria at bay (which blocks the stem and stops water uptake), c) encourage buds to open, d) lengthen the life of the flowers. Snipping the corner off a one-dose sachet and adding it to the vase water is simple and effective - and scientifically tested to make your flowers last longer.

Use lukewarm water - theres less oxygen in it, and helps prevent air bubbles in the stem that will block water uptake. It also encourages some flowers to open up. The only exception to this is spring bulb flowers like daffodils and tulips which prefer cold water.

Use thoroughly clean vases - bacteria kills flowers.

Cut stems at an angle.This gives the stem a bigger area to take up more water, and stops it resting on the bottom of the vase and sealing itself.

Follow the care and conditioning stages outlined below to prolong the life and beauty of the flowers.

Have you been put off buying fresh flowers in the past, because you think that you need lots of skill to arrange flowers successfully? Well, the Flowers & Plants Association have some great ideas for you, for displaying your flowers in stylish yet simple ways.

Basic Household Containers

Even if you havent got a single vase in the house, you can still enjoy cut flowers. Wine, beer, and mineral water bottles come in interesting shapes and colours, and reduce arranging to its basics. Choose flowers with large heads like gerbera, lilies, orchids or sunflowers - add one stem per bottle and line them up on your mantelpiece for instant glamour.

Jugs, teapots, tumblers and even jam jars can all be used for displaying flowers. With smaller containers such as teapots and jam jars, the flowers look better with the stems cut short, so that the flowerheads "float" on the rim of the pot. Choose flowers with full heads like dahlias, carnations, chrysanthemums and daffodils. Mass in separate colours for high style, or fill out with interesting foliages for a rustic, harvest-festival feel. Glasses and jars can also be put inside more attractive non-waterproof containers to hold the water for the flowers.

Ringing the Changes with Boring Vases

Maybe you have got a suitable vase, but its ugly, or the colour doesnt go with your flowers, or you are tired of looking at it. Try wrapping a headscarf around it - place the vase in the middle, pull up the fabric around, and tie with a ribbon or even a rubber band at the neck. If you dont have a scarf, try crepe paper or giftwrap - just take care when you add the water. You could then co-ordinate the flowers with the colours in the fabric or paper.

Alternatively cover the outside of the vase in double-sided adhesive tape, then stick large leaves vertically around. Tuck the ends of the leaves underneath and stick them down, then tie the vase in the middle with raffia or string for a floral parcel. Some houseplant leaves look wonderful for this as they are glossy, or have exotic markings or colouration. If you have no leaves, wind string - plain or coloured - in coils around the bottles and jars for an ethnic look; or satin parcel ribbon for a shiny finish.

And if all else fails...

If you really are unsuccessful at arranging your flowers, or you have had a few disasters in trying the above, then a lovely way of displaying flowers is to cut off individual flower heads and float them in a low dish of water. You can also add small floating candles for a "de-light-ful" dinner party tablecentre.

If you would like a colour booklet based on this page, with interesting information on flowers, please send an A5 SAE to Easy Ways, F&PA, 266 Flower Market, New Covent Garden Market, London SW8 5NB (UK addresses only).