That is a very good point Chris, if you cut them just a little longer than you will need them to be the warm water will of course get to the heads quicker. That is why they need to be in deep water so it will force itself up the stems quicker. Putting them somewhere warm too us helpful. Which generally means out of the shop. A warm kitchen or if you still have one a warm airing cupboard. Still of course it a full bucket of warm water.
I would not advise a hair-dryer, unless of course you want to give them a new colour, or perm
