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Why must foliage below the water line be removed from a vase arrangement?
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Floral decoration
An eternal bouquet for the dead, limestone relief from Egypt, 4th century bce; in the Brooklyn Museum, New York.
When creating a floral decoration, it is essential to remove all foliage that falls below the water line. This practice is necessary to prevent bacterial decay within the water, which would otherwise lead to the development of an unpleasant odor.1