Conditioning & Arranging 101

So, you’ve just unboxed your Wonky Flowers. The stems are fresh, the colours are popping (or about to be), and there’s a cheeky bit of flower food waiting to be mixed in. You might’ve had a quick glance at our Petal Pointers guide in the box – a short, sweet how-to for getting your bunch looking its best.

But talk to any florist, and they’ll tell you there’s a lot more to the process. Prepping, processing, positioning… it’s part art, part science, part “trust your gut and hope for the best.”

If you’re someone who loves to dive a little deeper, buckle up – we’re about to take you on a creative ride. This is the full step-by-step guide for those who want to go beyond the quick-snip-and-plonk.

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First: A Word on Flower Arranging (It’s Trickier Than It Looks)

Let’s be honest – arranging flowers can feel daunting. It looks easy enough in your head (or that Pinterest board), but getting your bunch to look just-so can be another story.

In reality, flower arranging is a skill – one that takes time, practice, and a bit of experimentation. You might not nail it the first time. That’s fine. That’s exactly what this is about: learning, trying, tweaking, and upskilling – week after week, with fresh seasonal stems.

You might also be someone who chucks them in a vase and calls it a day. That’s also completely fine. There’s no wrong way to Wonky. This guide is just here if you’re curious, keen, or want to give your blooms their best shot at vase greatness.

In this blog, we’ll cover:

• How to condition your flowers so they last longer
• The tools you’ll need (don’t worry – very few!)
• Tips on choosing a vase
• How to arrange like a pro – or at least give it a good go
• Ways to keep your flowers looking fresh

Ready? Let’s go.

STEP 1: CONDITIONING

This is the florist’s not-so-secret weapon. Conditioning means giving your flowers time to rehydrate and recover from their journey. Yes, even though they were packed fresh at the grower, the trip can leave them looking a bit wilted or tired. Don’t stress - they just need a drink.

Here’s how to do it:

• Fill a clean bucket or jug with cool water
• Give each stem a fresh angled snip, about an inch from the bottom
• Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline
• Pop the stems in to rehydrate for 1–2 hours before arranging

While your flowers take a drink, you can dive into your veg box and start plotting dinner.

Set your stems down, queue up a playlist, and let the creativity flow.

Short on time? You can skip the conditioning step and go straight to arranging. But flowers are easiest to style (and look their best) when they’re fully hydrated, so we recommend giving them a little soak if you can.

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STOP 2: TOOLS OF THE TRADE

You don’t need a full florist kit to make your flowers shine. Just a couple of basics will do:

• Sharp snips or scissors – A clean cut helps stems drink properly. Avoid kitchen scissors if they’re blunt; crushed stems = sad flowers.
• A clean container or bucket – For conditioning your flowers before arranging.
• A vase (or a few!) – We’ll get to that in the next section.

Bonus: A clean tea towel or soft cloth is handy for wiping down your vase and clearing space on your bench. Flower arranging can get a little splashy.

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STEP 3: CHOOSING YOUR VASE

No fancy floristry vessels required – but there are a few good rules to follow.

• Height matters: Your vase should be roughly half the height of your tallest stem. Too tall and your blooms might get swallowed; too short and they may topple.
• Neck width counts: A narrower opening creates a more compact, upright arrangement. Wider vases allow for airy, sprawling displays – but your stems will need more structure.

Got a short stem left behind? Don’t throw them! Mini jars, bottles or bud vases are great for cut-down blooms and you’ll be surprise how few you need to fill a small vessel. Perfect for your desk, bedside, or gifting a posy to a mate.

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STEP 4: ARRANGE LIKE A PRO

Now the fun bit.

1. Start with structure - Use your boldest or most greenery-heavy stems to create a base. Place three of the same stems in a loose triangle for balance.
2. Layer it up – Mix in your remaining stems one variety at a time, varying height and angle. Don’t overthink it - just go by eye.
3. Rotate as you go – This helps create a 360° arrangement that looks great from every angle.
4. Give each stem its moment – Adjust spacing, heights, and angles until everything feels balanced.

Top tips: 

• Group flowers in odd numbers and repeat varieties to keep things feeling natural.
• Criss-cross your stems as you build – it helps create a supportive base and keeps things from slipping around.
• Try the spiral technique – place each stem at a slight angle and rotate the vase as you go. It naturally creates a soft, dome-shaped arrangement with great flow.
• Play with height – trim some stems shorter to sit near the vase rim, and let others stand taller. Variation adds interest and helps each bloom shine.
• Use every stem – short or broken blooms still have charm. Pop them into jars, bottles, or bud vases to spread the joy around the house.
• Step back and squint – weird, we know, but it helps you spot any gaps or wonky bits. Tweak, adjust, and trust your instincts.
  
  

STEP 5: MAKE YOUR FLOWER LAST FOR LONGER

Once your stems are in, the job’s not quite done. Here’s how to keep your bunch blooming:

• Change the water every 3-4 days
• Snip the stems a little each time you change the water
• Keep out of direct sun, heaters, and draughts
• Avoid placing flowers near fruit – bananas & kiwifruit, and co. give off ethylene gas that speeds up wilting
• Remove any droopy or faded blooms to keep the rest happy

And just a reminder - flowers change over time. Feel free to rearrange your bunch as the week goes on. Trim a few stems down, move some into smaller jars, or share a bloom or two with a friend. There’s no one right way to enjoy them.

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We’d love to see what you create! Tag us on [email protected], send us a snap, or let us know how you got on – wild and wonky arrangements welcome.