Why Does Sugar Water Prolong the Life of Cut Flowers?
As Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County points out, cut flowers are still living things and as such require nourishment. Sugar water helps cut flowers last longer by providing the flowers with the food that they need to survive. Does this Spark an idea?
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Natural State
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Flowers attached to a plant are provided with food through the process of photosynthesis, which converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, mostly sugars, by means of solar energy.
Cut Flowers
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When flowers are cut, they become unable to synthesize nutrients on their own as they cannot undergo photosynthesis. They can, however, absorb sugar through their stems and use it as food, which is why putting flowers in a vase of sugar water prolongs the life of cut flowers.
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Proper Preparation
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According to Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County, re-cutting flower stems before placing them in a vase aids in the absorption of sugar. Cut off one to two inches from a stem at an angle while it's under water.
Additional Additives
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According to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, in addition to sugar water, cut flowers also require a biocide such as bleach and an acidifier such as lemon juice. The biocide inhibits bacterial growth while the acidifier promotes proper water pH.
Caution
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According to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, sugar water is detrimental to select varieties of flowers. Consult a florist if you are concerned about damaging your cut flowers.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Fotolia.com, courtesy of poco_bw
