Question

If you buy cut flowers, why might the florist recommend cutting the stems underwater and then transferring the flowers to a vase while the cut endsare still wet?

Short answer

Florists recommend cutting the flowers underwater because it can minimize the formation of air bubbles in the xylem. Thus, it maintains the systematic flow of water towards flowers.

Step-by-step solution

Role of xylem in plants

Xylem is one of the vascular tissues that help in transporting water and minerals from roots to the entire plant. It consists of four major components: tracheids, xylem vessels, xylem fibers, and xylem parenchyma. Out of all features, only xylem parenchyma is living, and others are dead at maturity.

Effect of cutting the stem of the flower in the vase, not in water

When flowers are cut directly into the vase (or not in water), air pockets develop in the xylem vessels. It can result in the withering of flowers, and they can decompose slowly.

Reason for cutting the flowers underwater

Transpiration is the process in which water is moved from downward to upward in the plants. The development of air pockets in xylem vessels disrupts this process of water transport.

Cutting the stem of the flower underwater prevents the formation of air pockets so that water can be transferred towards flowers consistently. It also prevents the formation of another air pocket in the xylem vessels.