I have tried many things when it came to getting flowers on special occasions; even picking ones from my rose garden. Sugar and aspirin are the couple I did most often. With this I added a penny. I was never sure why, but my Grandma always did this so of course it was a good thing!
Source: Article at doctor's office from older magazine.
By Luana M. from San Diego, CA
This page contains the following solutions.
When I receive beautiful flower arrangements, my first thought is "How am I going to water this without getting water all over the table or tablecloth that it sits on." In fact, it worries me so much I don't water them as often as I should. All you need to do is save your plastic straws. Insert one of the straws into the floral form and pour the water through it.
Last week, I received some beautiful fresh red roses, which I immediately put in a vase. However, we happened to go away that weekend, and when we came back the roses had drooped considerably, but otherwise were not in bad shape.
Did you get some cut flowers? Here's a little prep work you can do to make them last longer. Using pruning shears, make a fresh cut at the bottom of the stem. Do this under running water.
To make fresh cut flowers last longer, use 1/2 water and 1/2 soda, such as Sprite or any clear color soda. Your flowers will last for weeks and weeks and they will remain beautiful.
Another tip for keeping flowers fresh and even for revival is to put some fizzy clear lemonade into the water. This will revive them fantastically.
When cutting fresh lilacs, use a hammer to lightly crush the woody part of the cut ends to about 2 inches up the stem. The lilacs will then take up more of the water in the vase and stay fresher longer.
The mock orange have woody stems. In order to prepare them to draw more water in the vase, I crush the stems with a hammer. The flowers can last longer that way.
Keep them in ice water, as much as you can. Store them in the refrigerator at night (in the winter, you can put them outside on the back porch). I have gotten cut flowers to last 2 weeks this way.
If your children are like mine, anytime I cut fresh flowers, they ask to take a pretty bloom to their teachers. Rather than trying to keep the stems moist by wrapping them, use a plastic floral tube.
Throw a couple of pennies into the water with your fresh cut flowers to keep them alive longer!
Fresh cut flowers should always be placed in warm water rather than cold because the stem will absorb the warm water more rapidly. This prevents air bubbles from blocking the stem.
I have magnificent hydrangeas bushes in my back yard. Sometimes, a flower will break off or has a very short stem. Rather than throw it away, I put it in the refrigerator in a shallow bowl with water.
To prolong the life of cut flowers in a vase, add a couple of drops of chlorine bleach. Never submerse any of the stem with leaves in the water. It adds to the decay factor.
To keep your freshly picked flowers alive longer, add sugar. Add 1/2 tsp sugar for every cup of water.
Fresh flower bouquets are wonderful and can last much longer if, besides all the usual methods of adding conditioner/aspirin to the water, and freshly cutting stems and so on, you prune your bouquets. . .
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Will adding a citrus-flavored soft drink like 7-up to the water make cut flowers last longer?
It does, but I avoid it because it draws ants.
I have always had luck with a regular aspirin or the packet that the florists give.
I change the water daily and add aspirin
This is just a breeding ground for ants and other bugs attracted to the sugar. I would steer clear of using that. Aspirin does help. I change my water every 2 or so days and always trim the stems at an angle when changing water so theyre able to freshly soak it up.
Good luck!
You can, but your best bet is to keep the water clean and trim the stems with sharp shears often to remove any stale bacteria growth.
Yes, it is possible to add 7-up or other types of soft drinks to the water of cut flowers to make them last longer. However, when you do this you risk the chance of ants coming in your home.
Every couple of days, take your stems and give them a fresh angle cut to receive fresh water.The angle cut keeps from pinching the water intake of you plants/flowers.Also a finely crushed aspirin wouldn't hurt!
Trim bottom of the stems at an angle. Change out fresh water every 2 days.
Are these flowers purchased or from your garden? If purchased, they usually come with a powder package for long lasting.
Also you can reference this link for tips and tricks that may work for you: www.rd.com/
I bought this interesting bunch from a flower market last weekend, and I'm sure the sign next to it said "we don't need any water" but I want to confirm that and can't remember the name! Please help :)
Perhaps they will dry out therefore there's no need for water. They look like a variety of Thistles.
All the little red/green stuff looks like sedum, which is a succulent. It wouldn't need much water if it is.
Should you put freshly cut bittersweet in water or hang it to dry if you want to use it in a decoration? I have found conflicting information.
By Janet F from New Haven, CT
I have dried it in the past with very good luck. I have never put it in water.
Do you mash the stem on fresh cut roses or not? I have rose bushes that I cut regularly. I am told to mash the stem before putting in a vase. I say no to that and that they go into the vase after a slant cut. Please let me know.
By Maggie
All you need to do is cut your roses on an angle, about 1" or less and add some sugar to the water. They should last a few extra days longer than usual. Enjoy! Take lots of pictures!
Mare
I would like to know how to make a rose bowl. I have seen roses preserved in a liquid inside an inverted, sealed "vase". I would like to know where to get such a "vase". What liquid is used to preserve the roses?
By Susan Koenig from Alameda, CA
Cut flower arrangements will not last forever, but there are steps you can take to increase their longevity. This is a page about conditioning cut flowers for lasting arrangements.
This is a page about cut flower preservation recipes. When you buy cut flowers they often come with a packet of preserver to add to the water. If displaying flowers from your garden you can make your own, using products found in your home.
Sprite, 7Up, or other citrus based sodas help extend the freshness of cut flowers. The acid from the citrus improves the uptake of water keeping them hydrated and the sugar adds a food source. So use full-on citrus soda, not diet, and enjoy that bouquet longer.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
How do I make cut flowers last longer in a vase?
