How to Revive Wilting Cut Flowers

Is that drop-dead-gorgeous bouquet beginning to droop? Before you toss those flowers into the compost bin, try this treatment. If they're not too far gone, you can give them a new lease on life.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Floral Preservative
• Vase Or Similar Container
• Sharp Knife Or Shears

1. Fill a clean container with warm water (110°F/43°C) and add a floral preservative.

2. Hold each stem under lukewarm running water. Using a sharp knife or shears, cut the stem at a 45-degree angle, about 1/2 inch (12 mm) from the bottom, while the stem is under the running water.

3. Remove any leaves that would be underwater in the vase.

4. Immediately set the stem into the container of warm water.

5. Place the recut flowers in a cool spot (but no cooler than 35°F/2°C) for an hour or two.

6. Move them to a place that's out of direct sunlight and away from both cold drafts and heat sources. Keep the flowers well away from unwrapped fruits and vegetables--they produce ethylene, which will shorten the life of the flowers.

7. Add water, with preservative, as the level goes down, and change the water every two to three days.

Tips & Warnings

• To make your own preservative, mix 1 part nondiet lemon-lime soda with 3 parts water; for each quart (32 fl oz/1 l) of water, add 1/4 tsp. household bleach.