Keeping Cut Flowers Fresh

GOTO Fashion · 02-27-2008, 12:59 PM

I read about a way to keep cut flowers fresh on the Real Simple website, and recently had a chance to try it. I was able to keep a bouquet of flowers looking lively for about 1.5 weeks, and then kept the die-hards for another .5 weeks - 2 weeks total!

Here's how to do it: (this works best with a tall vase) Fill a vase with cool water, about 1/2 way. Remove all leaves from the stems from 3/4 the height of your vase to the ends, and stand the bouquet in the vase. Take 1 cup warm water, then add 2 teaspoons sugar and a couple of pinches of instant lemon powder (you can get this at the grocery store next to the spices) or citric acid (2 quick dashes of soda water or the juice of a couple of lemon slices would also work). Stir to dissolve the sugar, then add to the water already in the vase. Fill vase with cool water until 3/4 full.

Repeat this process every other day.

After about a week, or sooner as needed, remove any discolored or really droopy flowers. Do this every other day, as needed. After 1.5 weeks, cut stems by 1/2 and arrange in a vase with a smaller opening. Toss the flowers once they all start to look really sad.

Enjoy!

USCGamecocks · 02-28-2008, 09:22 AM

Does one bad flower ruin the bunch?
Any ideas if that stuff that comes with the roses help out too? The plant food stuff?

purplefdu · 02-28-2008, 10:30 AM

I normally use the packet that comes with the flowers (and my husband normally gets two since he buys flowers from walmart and you can help yourself). I have used sugar in the water but never lemon. I wonder if any citrus would work? I've got a trio of samples that are powders (True Lemon, Lime, and Orange).

GOTO Fashion · 02-28-2008, 01:16 PM

USCGamecocks - I think the popular belief is that one bad flower will sully the water and spread bad stuff to the other flowers, causing them to go bad, too. Each flower food packet is good for two fill-ups, generally. I'd still change the water every other day. After you've used up the packets, you can use the recipe I gave in my first post.

Purple - great minds think alike! I couldn't remember the name of the citrus powder I use, but I checked and it IS True Lemon or True Lime (I've used both). Any citrus or acidic ingredient will work - carbonated water, citric acid, etc. - so just use what you have on hand.

Solinvicta · 02-28-2008, 02:11 PM

I've heard of people extending the life of flowers with citrusy sodas, like 7-11. I'm pretty sure that generic soda would work for this too, unless you've got some picky flowers!

I'm not sure about the idea of one bad flower spoiling the bunch, but it might make sense. For fruit, ripening fruit produces a gas that causes other fruits to ripe more quickly (this is why the trick of ripening bananas by putting them in a bag with an apple works). I wouldn't be too surprised if something similar could happen with flowers...

Cindysu · 02-28-2008, 03:15 PM

I just wanted to put a plug on here regarding ProFlowers. My husband (who travels alot) will send me flowers through them and they've always lasted 2-3 weeks. I still have lilies from his Valentine's day order. I believe they give him online coupons (plus a free vase). Whenever I order from them, I go through Memolink to get points.

cheapskate · 02-29-2008, 05:43 AM

How delicious for the plants!

02-27-2008, 12:59 PM	#1
GOTO Fashion Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: L.A. Posts: 80 Reputation: (11)	Keeping Cut Flowers Fresh I read about a way to keep cut flowers fresh on the Real Simple website, and recently had a chance to try it. I was able to keep a bouquet of flowers looking lively for about 1.5 weeks, and then kept the die-hards for another .5 weeks - 2 weeks total! Here's how to do it: (this works best with a tall vase) Fill a vase with cool water, about 1/2 way. Remove all leaves from the stems from 3/4 the height of your vase to the ends, and stand the bouquet in the vase. Take 1 cup warm water, then add 2 teaspoons sugar and a couple of pinches of instant lemon powder (you can get this at the grocery store next to the spices) or citric acid (2 quick dashes of soda water or the juice of a couple of lemon slices would also work). Stir to dissolve the sugar, then add to the water already in the vase. Fill vase with cool water until 3/4 full. Repeat this process every other day. After about a week, or sooner as needed, remove any discolored or really droopy flowers. Do this every other day, as needed. After 1.5 weeks, cut stems by 1/2 and arrange in a vase with a smaller opening. Toss the flowers once they all start to look really sad. Enjoy! __________________ GOTO Fashion/Haus CecilyBee Family Maven Frugal Style&Beauty CoolSavings LinkShare

02-28-2008, 09:22 AM	#2
USCGamecocks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 119 Reputation: (16)	Does one bad flower ruin the bunch? Any ideas if that stuff that comes with the roses help out too? The plant food stuff? __________________ Timemakeover.com - Time Management Articles & Resources

02-28-2008, 10:30 AM	#3
purplefdu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Eliot, ME USA Posts: 357 Reputation: (22)	I normally use the packet that comes with the flowers (and my husband normally gets two since he buys flowers from walmart and you can help yourself). I have used sugar in the water but never lemon. I wonder if any citrus would work? I've got a trio of samples that are powders (True Lemon, Lime, and Orange). __________________ Homeward Bound Puppy Blog&Shades of Purple My coupon site list & organic grocery coupon help

02-28-2008, 01:16 PM	#4
GOTO Fashion Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: L.A. Posts: 80 Reputation: (11)	Flower Food and Citrus Powder USCGamecocks - I think the popular belief is that one bad flower will sully the water and spread bad stuff to the other flowers, causing them to go bad, too. Each flower food packet is good for two fill-ups, generally. I'd still change the water every other day. After you've used up the packets, you can use the recipe I gave in my first post. Purple - great minds think alike! I couldn't remember the name of the citrus powder I use, but I checked and it IS True Lemon or True Lime (I've used both). Any citrus or acidic ingredient will work - carbonated water, citric acid, etc. - so just use what you have on hand. __________________ GOTO Fashion/Haus CecilyBee Family Maven Frugal Style&Beauty CoolSavings LinkShare

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02-28-2008, 02:11 PM	#5
Solinvicta Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 74 Reputation: (12)	I've heard of people extending the life of flowers with citrusy sodas, like 7-11. I'm pretty sure that generic soda would work for this too, unless you've got some picky flowers! I'm not sure about the idea of one bad flower spoiling the bunch, but it might make sense. For fruit, ripening fruit produces a gas that causes other fruits to ripe more quickly (this is why the trick of ripening bananas by putting them in a bag with an apple works). I wouldn't be too surprised if something similar could happen with flowers...

02-28-2008, 03:15 PM	#6
Cindysu Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 5 Reputation: (10)	I just wanted to put a plug on here regarding ProFlowers. My husband (who travels alot) will send me flowers through them and they've always lasted 2-3 weeks. I still have lilies from his Valentine's day order. I believe they give him online coupons (plus a free vase). Whenever I order from them, I go through Memolink to get points.

02-29-2008, 05:43 AM	#7
cheapskate Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 50 Reputation: (10)	How delicious for the plants!