How to Keep Cut Flowers Alive Longer

How to keep your cut fresh flowers alive longer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vase
• Water
• Vinegar
• Bleach
• Sugar

1. First, give your flowers some pop. If your cut flowers are looking a little wilted in their vase but you are not quite ready to toss them out, try giving them some life by adding a carbonated lemon-lime soda to their vase. Just don’t grab the sugar free version- they like it sweet! Rinse out the old water and replace it with half a vase of fresh warm water and half lemon-lime soda.

2. If you don't have lemon-lime soda, you can also use Vinegar. If your flowers are looking a bit thirsty, you can also try replacing their old vase water with this mix: 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 quart water.

3. A third way to revive your blooms is to simply touch up their roots.
   To keep your blooms around a bit longer, add 2 drops household bleach, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 quart water.

4. The last (and most unique) method to keeping your flowers longer is to Sear them (just don't eat them). If you have a gorgeous arrangement of flowers such as poppies, dahlias, or orchids you can sear their stems before putting them into the vase. Why? Well these type of flowers have hollow stems that secret a milky-types substance when cut. Searing the end of their stems will keep them perky a bit longer. Simply hold their ends to a flame for a quick sear and then place them in a vase with warm (not cold) water.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use warm water when filling your vases.
• If your lemon-lime soda has lost it's carbonation (is flat) it should still be enough of a kick to wake up your blooms.

[1InternetSmarty]

on 3/18/2009 Super tips. Thank you. Five stars.

[AdirondackTrina]

on 3/6/2009 I agree...great secrets, and things I'd never heard of. I get flowers seldom enough that I want them to stay alive as LONG as possible! Thanks for sharing the tips!!Ü

[offgrid]

on 3/6/2009 great tips. 5 *