Foolproof Tips for Keeping Your Flowers Fresh

After you purchase or receive flowers, you want to keep them fresh for as long as possible. This task is easier said than done for those who do not have a green thumb! Thankfully, there are some foolproof tips for keeping your flowers fresh longer!

The first of three tips on how to keep your flowers fresh longer is making homemade flower food. The ingredients in homemade flower food are sugar, lemon juice, and bleach. By incorporating sugar into the mixture, you will nourish the flower stems. The lemon juice in flower food will add acidity and regulate the water’s pH level. This high pH level from the lemon juice will encourage the water to move up the stems quicker and act as an antibacterial agent. An alternative to lemon juice is a crushed tablet of vitamin C. Lastly, bleach is a must-have additive to block the growth of bacteria. An alternative to bleach for this mixture is a clear spirit like gin or vodka. Once made, add this homemade flower food mixture into the vase water and watch your flowers thrive.

The second tip for keeping your flowers fresh is simply dropping a penny in the vase of water. Pennies, made from copper, contain natural antimicrobial properties which will block the growth of bacteria and fungi in the water. If bacteria and fungus growth are not regulated, it can result in the flowers soon losing their vibrance and luster. 

If you follow through with this tip, it is essential to examine how old the penny is that you are using. Pennies made after 1982 are created with 97.5% zinc, meaning they will be less helpful for flower use. Instead of using these pennies, opt for those made before this date. Older pennies are primarily made of 95% copper. Using these will ensure you care for your flowers well. Make this task easy by sorting your pennies that lay around at home and storing the ones that date from 1982 and back into a separate pile for flower use.

The third and last of the tips on how to keep your flowers fresh longer is cutting the stems properly. While you may not think the stem-cutting technique is that important, it is essential for your flower’s preservation. First, avoid using scissors when cutting the flower stems. Using scissors to cut the stems of your flowers will result in crushing the veins and restricting water from flowing through. 

Secondly, avoid cutting the flower stems straight across. This cutting direction will damage the stems even further. Instead, cut the flower stems with a sharp knife at a 45-degree angle. Cutting your flower stems with this method will ensure that the veins remain undamaged while being prepped. After you follow this tip, the flowers will get adequate water consumption and thrive much longer.

Following all three foolproof tips for keeping your flowers fresh longer above is essential for the next time you purchase or receive flowers. By understanding the needs of flowers, you can be more confident that you can care for them properly and keep them thriving.