How to Remove Aphids From a Freshly Cut Bouquet

Nothing makes a more welcome gift than freshly cut flowers - unless you notice bugs crawling all over them. Take a few extra minutes to make sure that your bouquet will be a welcome addition to anyone's home or office.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden Shears
• Garden-hose Nozzles
• Paper Towels
• Paper Towels
• Buckets
• Paper towels

1. Select the flowers you intend to cut in the garden. Before you clip that first stem, take a close look. Are there bugs on the petals, leaves or stems?

2. Attach a spray nozzle to the end of the hose, stretch out the hose and turn on the water. (Turning on the water after you have the hose stretched out makes it easier to handle and prevents kinks.)

3. Wash the flowers, including the foliage, with a good, strong jet of water.

4. Allow the flowers to drip dry for a few minutes. Then cut them.

5. Place the freshly cut flowers into a bucket or container filled with fresh, clear water immediately.

6. Inspect the flowers again once you have them in the house. Any stray bugs can be rinsed off under the faucet. Allow the flowers to drip over a paper towel or newspaper.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut flowers in the early morning hours while insects are active. They are easier to spot when they are moving.
• A light application of 1/2 tsp. of liquid detergent mixed in a small spray bottle filled with 1 quart of water prior to the hose treatment will make the insects easier to rinse off.