Bloom Boom: How To Add Life To Your Flowers

February 2, 2015

Don’t you wish your beautiful flowers would last longer? Wilting is a natural process, and the time varies with each variety of bloom; however, it is possible to delay it and keep your flowers looking plump and colorful.

Cutting flowers from the source deprives them of essential nutrients, making them limp and lifeless. How then, do you extend their longevity? Use these simple at-home ingredients to keep them nourished, as well as to inhibit the production of germs.

Sugar: Mixed with water, this sweet compound helps open up the buds and nourishes the stalks. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of sugar in the vase (which has water in it). How about using some soda, instead? With its high sugar content, it can keep your flowers looking great (in this case, use about 1/4th cup).
Hairspray: Just like it would work for your hair, a good spray will keep the flowers firm and prolong their freshness. Stand one foot away from the vase, and spray just on the undersides of the petals and the leaves. This trick works best for sturdy flowers with heavy petals, such as rose and lavender.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Vinegar heals the wounds of the cut ends of the flower sticks, which maintain healthy water absorption. Clearly then, the petals remain fresh and don’t turn brown just as easily. Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your vase. Doing this also prevents bacterial growth.
Vodka: It hampers the ethylene production in plants, thus postpones the wilting process. Besides minimizing the growth of bacteria, it also nourishes the plant. However, it should be diluted. Add 1 teaspoon sugar and a few drops of vodka in the vase.
Aspirin: It’s acidic content makes certain nutrients more readily available to plants, hence contributing to better cell health and longer life. Simply crush an aspirin tablet into the vase.
Bleach: Known for its sanitizing properties, bleach disinfects the vase of germs, and prevents premature wilting. Besides that, it sterilizes the water and wards off the growth of mold. You can mix about ¼ teaspoon of bleach with the flower water.
Copper Penny: Copper is an acidifier and hence works as an anti-bacterial agent. Drop some copper coins in your vase.