Make Cut Flowers Last Longer
By lilybeeFresh flowers in the middle of winter are an undeniable luxury. In these tough economic times if you're springing for the luxuries, you want them to last. And hey, isn't there a big, pink, flower-giving holiday coming up? (I'm looking at you sweetie.)
Here are a few tips to keep the pretties pretty for longer:
1. Get rid of leaves. Vamoose any leaves that will be below the water-line as submerged foliage encourages bacteria growth. Which is gross.
2. Lose an inch. Chop at least an inch from the bottom of each stem. There's all kinds of brouhaha about the best method for doing this, but you really can't go wrong with a nice 45-degree angle. Do the chopping with a sharp implement though as a dull blade can bruise the flower's vascular system.
3. Add some stuff. You're looking for a mix that will inhibit bacteria, feed the flower and encourage water uptake. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden recommends that you mix 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon bleach, and 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice in a quart of warm water. Warm water is important because it’s more easily absorbed.
4. Find a good spot for them. Arrangements need to be kept away from heat, direct sunlight, and ripening fruit (it's an ethane thing).
5. Keep them soggy. Check your water levels every day, dry is bad. Top up with your bleach-lemon-sugar-water mix as required.
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Decorating on a teeny budget is my thing. Recycling and Reusing and Repurposing are my...
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