How do you prolong the life of a cut flower?

Question

7UP, BLEACH, EPSON SALT, PLANT FOOD, ASPRIN

Answer 1

cut the stem at an angle under water and put a little sugar in the vase of water

Answer 2

Forget the aspirin, bleach, Epsom salt, plant food. The best is change the water daily. The 7-up diluted greatly with water might help for awhile, but the sugar is more likely to grow bacteria than the ascorbic acid retards. Floral preservatives added to the water also help retard bacterial growth.

When you put cut flowers into water, the trick is to cut the stem underwater, hold it there for a bit and then quickly put it into the vase with water. Holding under water retards an air bubble formation that would prevent any water uptake. Also avoid cold water, use warm to room temperature.

Finally, ideally you should recut the stem every day or so, but let's not get anal about this.

Answer 3

not a florist, but I do know a good additive-free trick. Fill the sink with water, and submerge the cut ends. Trim them off a few inches higher. Fill the vase with water from the sink, and place the flowers in the vase without removing them from the water. By keeping the freshly cut ends underwater you're preventing any air from being trapped in the water-drawing vessels in the stem. If you're displaying home grown flowers, leave a leaf or two near the top. The leaves transpire (sweat, basically), which creates a siphon-like action that helps draw water into the stem.

Answer 4

Put it in tap water and add a little bit of aspirin. Do not use bleach or salt. Plant food will not work as the root has been cut and the remaining portion of the plant cannot absorb the minerals as it did before.

Answer 5

I heard putting a penny in it can prolong the life of a rose or flower for a week or so. I heard this from someone at work. I think its something in the copper that makes it live longer.

Answer 6

I have used asprin and had great luck keeping the flowers alive longer. Also, the way it is cut is important.

Answer 7

I keep the cut end trimmed daily and use 1/2 aspirin.

Answer 8

I heard adding a little sugar or Aspirin to the water works.

Answer 9

cut the end at the most extreme angle you can get instead of typical 45 degree angle. the more surface are on the bottom - the more water and oxygen it can take in.

Answer 10

aspirin