Aspirin
It’s a tried-and-true way to keep roses and other cut flowers fresh
longer: Put a crushed aspirin in the water before adding your flowers.
Other household items that you can put in the water to extend the life
of your flower arrangements include: a multivitamin, a teaspoon of
sugar, a pinch of salt and baking soda, and even a copper penny. Also,
don’t forget to change the vase water every few days.
Bleach
Freshly cut flowers will stay fresh longer if you add 1/4 teaspoon
bleach per quart (1 liter) of vase water. Another popular recipe calls
for 3 drops bleach and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1 quart (1 liter) water. This
will also keep the water from getting cloudy and inhibit the growth of
bacteria.
Coins
Your posies and other cut flowers will stay fresh longer if you add a copper penny and a cube of sugar to the vase water.
Hair Spray
Just as it preserves your hairstyle, a spritz of hair spray can
preserve your cut flowers. Stand a foot away from the bouquet and give
them a quick spray, just on the undersides of the leaves and petals.
Soda
Don’t throw away those last drops of soda. Pour about 1/4 cup into
the water in a vase full of cut flowers. The sugar in the soda will make
the blossoms last longer. Note: If you have a clear vase and want the water to remain clear, use a clear soda, like Sprite or 7-Up.
Sugar
Make your own preservative to keep cut flowers fresh longer. Dissolve
3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons white vinegar per quart (liter)
of warm water. When you fill the vase, make sure the cut stems are
covered by 3-4 inches (7-10 centimeters) of the prepared water. The
sugar nourishes the plants, while the vinegar inhibits bacterial growth.
You’ll be surprised how long the arrangement stays fresh!
Vinegar
Everyone likes to keep cut flowers around as long as possible, and
there are several good methods. One way is to mix 2 tablespoons apple
cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons sugar with the vase water before adding
the flowers. Be sure to change the water (with more vinegar and sugar,
of course) every few days to enhance your flowers’ longevity.
Vodka
The secret to keeping cut flowers looking good as long as possible is
to minimize the growth of bacteria in the water and to provide
nourishment to replace what the flower would have gotten had it not been
cut. Add a few drops of vodka (or any clear spirit) to the vase water
for antibacterial action along with 1 teaspoon sugar. Change the water
every other day, refreshing the vodka and sugar each time.
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