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What to Put Into Water to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh
What to Put Into Water to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh. Fresh-cut flowers add a little something extra to a room. Often, flowers are a reminder of a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary. Making them last as long as possible is a good reminder of the happy occasion. No matter what kind of blooms you prefer, there are plenty of things you can...
Fresh-cut flowers add a little something extra to a room. Often, flowers are a reminder of a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary. Making them last as long as possible is a good reminder of the happy occasion. No matter what kind of blooms you prefer, there are plenty of things you can add to the water to help extend the life of the bouquet.
Sugar
The packet of "flower food" you get with flowers from a florist is usually just sugar and acid. Adding the packet or a sugar mix of your own will help cut down on the amount of bacteria, fungus and yeast in the water, which will make them fresh for longer. You can make your own sugar mix by combining 3 tbsp. of table sugar and 2 tbsp. of white vinegar for every liter of water in your vase. The sugar in soda will also help keep your flowers looking fresh. Simply pour about a quarter-cup of non-diet soda in your vase. Any soda will do, but clear drinks such as Sprite and 7-Up work best because they will not discolor the water.
Aspirin
Aspirin has long been added to vases of fresh-cut flowers to keep blooms looking perkier for longer. Just crush up an aspirin and add it to the vase. If you change the water in the vase, add a new crushed aspirin.
Bleach
Common household bleach has plenty of uses, and one of them is keeping flowers fresh for longer. Add a quarter tsp. of bleach for every liter of water in your vase. You may also want to add a cube of sugar. The bleach will inhibit the growth of bacteria and also keep the water from getting cloudy and murky.
Liquor
Adding clear liquors such as vodka and gin to your vase of flowers will also help prevent bacteria from growing. Just add a few drops to the vase, and be sure to add more every time you change the water.
Fresh Water
One of the easiest ways to extend the life of your bouquet of flowers is to change the water frequently to provide a clean supply of water. Florists typically recommend changing the water daily. By doing this, the bacteria in the water are eliminated.
