How to Make Your Own Fresh-Cut Flower Food

Cut flowers live longer in a cool environment.

Usually, when you buy a bundle of fresh-cut flowers at the grocery store on the way home from work, it comes with a packet of flower food. If you have fresh flowers and don't have a packet of commercial fresh-flower food, you can make your own at home with ingredients you probably have on hand. The flower food extends the life of fresh-cut floral bouquets.

Things You'll Need

• Bleach
• Granulated sugar
• Vinegar
• Water
• Mixing container

Instructions

1. For each gallon of room temperature water, add 2 tablespoons of bleach, 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar. The bleach kills any bacteria in the water. The vinegar regulates the pH level, and the granulated sugar keeps the flowers perky. Mix all the ingredients well.

2. Soak the flowers in this mixture for several hours in a cool, shady place before recutting an inch from each stem underwater and placing them in an arrangement. Fill the container with the flower-food mixture.

3. Use a glass or plastic container, rather than metal, when using cut-flower food or any homemade formula.

References

• The Kitchen: How To Keep Cut Flowers Longer
• Master Gardeners: Extending Life of Cut Flowers