Using oasis for table centrepieces

[fatsatsuma]

Please can someone who knows about these things tell me: do I soak the oasis first before adding the greenery etc? I need them to last a few days and have never used the stuff before. Thank you!

Hope this answer isn't too late.

Yes you must soak oasis first. Fill a bowl/sink/bucket with cold water and place the oasis on top of the water. Let it sink into the water without pushing it as you will get dry patches, it must absorb the water slowly itself. When it looks fully saturated, remove and drain until just dripping.

If you cut your flower/foliage stems at an angle they are more easily inserted and will take up water better.

Thank you. I'm afraid I had already stuck candles in the oasis and taped it into saucers before it occurred to me to soak it

I applied as much water as I could from every angle and into the saucers, and will keep topping it up, so hopefully the greenery will benefit somehow.

I'm actually quite pleased with my handiwork, as someone who is chronically bad at such things - so I hope they last a day or two...I'll know about watering it properly next year. Thanks again for your advice.