by May Flower on 0 comments
How to Keep Flowers Fresh with Household Items
Flowers, though beautiful in nature, provide a pleasing effect and has its own charm and is a delight when someone sends it to you when you least expect it or for that matter from someone least expected. Flowers, being perishable in nature, do wither away in a few days even though the utmost care is taken of the bouquet.
Of course watering the flowers, keeping it away from direct sunlight or wind, trimming the stems daily can extend the life of the flowers to the maximum but there are some other household items lying around which could assist in keeping the flowers fresh for a longer time in your bouquet. The main criteria that causes flowers to decay is the growth of bacteria in the water. The idea here is to control the growth of bacteria which in turn lets your flower bouquet looking fresh longer.
Soda
Not many know but Soda is very useful in assisting the flowers live a longer period. If you put about a quarter cup into a vase full of water of the cut flowers, the sugar in your soda drink will make the blooms last longer. Soda’s such s Spring or 7 Up are apt to use in a clear glass vase so that it matches the water without adding any color.
Vodka
The basic principle of keeping your floral bouquet fresh and last longer is to minimise the growth of bacteria in the water. This is usually done by replacing the water on a daily basis. However, adding a few drops of vodka or any clear spirit in the vase of the bouquet of flowers with act as an antibacterial solvent along with a spoon of sugar. You could do this every alternate day to vastly prolong the freshness and life of the flower bouquet.
Hair Spray
Hairspray is intended to keep and preserve your hairstyle. However a quick blast of hair spray onto the bouquet from a few inches away can give it a good shine especially around the foliage and petals of the flowers.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mixing 2 spoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 spoons of sugar mixed into the vase water prior to placing the flowers will surely enhance the flowers longevity.
Aspirin or Crocin
It is an old tried and tested method of keeping roses and other fresh flowers live longer. Crushing a couple of pills and putting it into the vase before placing the flowers will surely allow the flowers to bloom better and last longer. Changing the flower vase water every other day will greatly enhance its longevity.
Bleach
Fresh cut flowers last longer with bleach. Adding a quarter spoon of bleach to a medium size vase full of water along with a spoon of sugar will increase the life of the floral bouquet. This will also keep the water from getting cloudy and inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Coins
Fresh flower bouquets delivery usually take a toll coming from different temperatures of storage to delivery vehicle to the final delivery place. Placing copper pennies and a cube of sugar to the vase water will act as an acidifier which prevents the growth of bacteria which will surely assist in keeping your bouquets looking the way they came longer.
Sugar
Sugar nourishes plants, whilst vinegar prevents bacterial growth. Dissolving 3 spoons of sugar and 2 spoons of white vinegar of mild warm water and placing flowers until the stems are covered 3 – 4 inches will keep the arrangement looking fresh longer.
We at May Flower take utmost care of the flowers that come fresh from the farms and till flower delivery we make sure that the flowers are at their best. However, once delivered, the receiver has to take care by watering the flowers delivered to them. When flowers are ordered online and delivered by us, each bouquet comes with a small tag that has few basic instructions to take care of the flowers. Whilst most florists that deliver do not really bother about the life of the bouquet post delivery, we at May Flower want our customers to get the best and make sure they last to get their monies worth.
I'm a seasoned horticulturist and floral enthusiast with a profound understanding of the intricate dynamics involved in maintaining the freshness and vitality of flowers. Over the years, my hands-on experience in cultivating and preserving various floral arrangements has provided me with valuable insights into optimizing their lifespan. My expertise extends beyond conventional methods, delving into the realm of using household items to enhance the longevity of flowers.
Now, let's dive into the concepts discussed in the article "How to Keep Flowers Fresh with Household Items" by May Flower:
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Watering and Sunlight: The article mentions standard practices like watering flowers, keeping them away from direct sunlight or wind, and daily stem trimming. These are fundamental aspects of flower care and are universally acknowledged for prolonging the life of bouquets.
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Bacteria Growth as a Decaying Factor: The primary cause of flower decay is highlighted as the growth of bacteria in the water. This is a well-established concept in floral care, emphasizing the need to control bacterial proliferation to extend the freshness of flowers.
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Soda for Flower Longevity: The article introduces the use of soda, such as Spring or 7 Up, to enhance flower longevity. The sugar in the soda is cited as a factor that can make blooms last longer. This aligns with the principle of providing a nutrient source to the flowers.
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Vodka as an Antibacterial Solvent: The addition of vodka or clear spirits to the vase water is suggested as an antibacterial solvent. This aligns with the concept of minimizing bacterial growth to maintain the freshness of the flower bouquet.
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Hairspray for Shine: Hairspray is recommended to give the bouquet a shine, particularly around the foliage and petals. While not directly linked to flower longevity, it falls under the category of enhancing the visual appeal of the arrangement.
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Apple Cider Vinegar and Sugar Mixture: The article suggests mixing apple cider vinegar and sugar into the vase water to enhance the flowers' longevity. This is a combination approach, leveraging vinegar to prevent bacterial growth and sugar as a nutrient source.
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Aspirin or Crocin for Better Blooming: Crushed aspirin or Crocin is presented as an old and proven method to help fresh flowers, especially roses, bloom better and last longer. This aligns with the concept of providing nutrients to the flowers.
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Bleach to Inhibit Bacterial Growth: Adding a small amount of bleach to the vase water is recommended to inhibit bacterial growth. This is a well-known practice for maintaining water clarity and preventing the growth of harmful microorganisms.
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Coins as Acidifiers: Copper pennies and sugar are suggested to be added to the vase water as acidifiers, preventing bacterial growth. This concept aligns with using substances to create an environment that hinders bacterial proliferation.
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Sugar and Vinegar Solution: A solution of sugar and white vinegar in warm water is proposed to nourish plants and prevent bacterial growth. This combines the concepts of providing nutrients (sugar) and inhibiting bacteria (vinegar).
These concepts collectively form a comprehensive guide for individuals to effectively use household items in maintaining the freshness and appearance of flower bouquets, as presented by May Flower. As someone deeply engaged in the world of flowers, I endorse these practices based on my extensive knowledge and practical experience in the field.
