Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Long-lasting cut flowers

sinful of cut flowers First, plunge the cut flowers into a sinkful of lukewarm water right after cutting, or better yet bring a container of water out into the garden with you.
add sugar to vase Put 2 tablespoons of sugar into the bottom of the vase, add water, and stir to dissolve.
flower with leaves Before: flower with leaves intact.
leaves removed from flower After: run your fingers along either side of the stem and strip off foliage that will be below the water line.cut stem on the diagonal


Recut the stem on the diagonal and place into the vase.
cut flower arrangement
Arrange and enjoy!
cut flowers
My flowers last longer than I like to keep them. I just threw out my last group of cut flowers and they were nowhere near being wilted after two weeks.

Another hint: empty the water in the vase after 5 days, trim another inch off the bottom of the stems and refill with water and a Tbsp. of lemon-lime soda. An easy way to do this without having to rearrange the flowers is to grasp the flowers just above the vase line, pull them out and continue holding while you trim the ends with the other hand.

Here are some of my other Works for me Wednesday Tips (scroll down). For other great tips, head over to Rocks in my Dryer.

6 comments:

Myth said...

That's definitely worth trying - my cut flowers always wilt within a day or two!

Anonymous said...

I'll try it! Beautiful flowers!

Amy Fox said...

I will remember this next time I get flowers! Thanks!
~Amy

Anonymous said...

I'll try to remember this. Reminds me of putting some Pepsi or other soda in Christmas tree water. Plain sugar is easier and cheaper.

Miranda said...

What great ideas! I love fresh flowers but can never justify spending money on somthing that will last just a few days- and my garden is new and not quite producing enough flowers to warrent taking them out of the garden yet. I'll have to try your tips. Thanks

Lara said...

Great info! If I ever have a yard with anything but weeds I will use it! Although the kids think some of our weeds are pretty, I don't so much.