Giving flowers makes everybody feel special. Those that receive the flowers definitely feel wonderful, but those that give fresh flowers feel special too. A bouquet of flowers can help express feelings. How powerful is that? The problem is that flowers don't last.

Can you extend the vase-life of flowers with good treatment? It seems like a simple question. But if you search online there are dozens of ideas, many offered as fact. But which is correct and which is ineffective information? Here is the answer, presented by a florist with 30 years of experience. This information is supported by both academic research and first-hand experience.

Extending the life of flowers begins the moment you take delivery of them. Place the stems in water immediately. As soon as you can cut the stems back inch at an angle. Use a sharp knife, not scissors or a serrated knife. This cut will eliminate air bubbles in the stem. Air bubbles can block the uptake of water. The angled cut exposes more of the stem to water to permit the flower to absorb water more easily. In the meantime carefully clean the vase with a 10% bleach solution.

Water alone however is not the ideal liquid to extend the life of fresh cut flowers. They require more. Homespun preservative solutions range from aspirin to copper pennies to sugar to bleach. Additions involve a variety of flavors of soda, Listerine, corn syrup, lemon juice and more. Is there any truth to these solutions?

Fresh cut flowers need acidic water for two reasons. fresh flowers take up acidic water more rapidly, and acidic water slows the development of bacteria that could clog the stems. Several of the home-grown ingredients help make the water acidic. Studies have found that water with a pH of 3.5 works best

Flowers also require carbohydrates in the form of sugars. |Some of the homemade components such as sugar, corn syrup or lemon-lime soda, do supply sugar, but in broadly varying amounts. Different flowers however, need varying amounts of sugar. Some like their water on the sweet side, while others not so much. So what is the solution?

The answer to all the above concerns is to use the packets of floral preservative that usually comes with fresh flowers. Mix the packet into warm water (100-110 degrees) according to instructions on the packet. Move the flowers into the warm liquid and put the vase in a cool location. Keep the flowers out of direct sun and as cool as possible. Change the preservative liquid every other day. Clip inch off the stems whenever you change the solution if possible.

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Article Submitted By: Charles Osborne
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