Tried and tested tips for fantastic flowers

Medicine for your flowers

It’s not just good for headaches, aspirin is a tried and tested way to keep roses and other cut flowers fresher for longer. Here’s how you can try to keep roses and other cut flowers fresh. Put a crushed aspirin in the vase water before adding your flowers. Other household items that you can put in the water to extend the life of your flower arrangements include: a multivitamin, a teaspoon of sugar, a pinch of salt and baking soda, and even a copper penny. Also, don't forget to change the vase water every few days

Bleach

Adding bleach to freshly cut flowers will keep them looking fresher and more vibrant for longer. You need to be careful with quantities or you may end up killing your precious bouquet. If you add 1/4 teaspoon bleach per quart (1 liter) of vase water. Another popular recipe calls for 3 drops of bleach and 1 teaspoon of sugar in 1 quart (1 liter) water. This helps to stop the water getting cloudy and inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Coins

Your posies and other cut flowers will stay fresher longer if you add a copper penny and a cube or a teaspoon of sugar to the water in the vase.

Hair Spray

You might not think it to look at it but a can of hairspray does more than wonders for your hair! It can also be used in moderation to help give extra life by preserving your cut flowers. Stand a foot away from the bouquet and give them a quick spray, just on the undersi des of the leaves and petals.

Soda

Soda has more uses than just for drinking! Any dregs you have left in the bottle can be used to keep your blooms bright. Pour about 1/4 cup into the water in a vase full of cut flowers. The sugar in the soda will make the blossoms last longer. Be aware to use a clear soda if you are using a see through vase, drinks such as 7 up would be good but definitely not Dr Pepper!

Sugar

Sugar can be used as a natural preservative in keeping cut flowers fresher for  longer. Dissolve 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons white vinegar per quart (liter) of warm water. When you fill the vase, make sure the cut stems are covered by 3-4 inches (7-10 centimeters) of the sugary solution. The sugar nourishes the plants, while the vinegar inhibits bacterial growth. You'll be amazed at how this neat trick keeps your flowers fresh for so long!

Vinegar

Vinegar may sound like a strange addition to your flower water but it really does help. Here are just a couple of ways in which vinegar can be used. One way is to mix 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons sugar with the vase water before adding the flowers. Be sure to change the water (with more vinegar and sugar, of course) every few days to enhance your flowers' longevity.

Spirits

Flowers keep fresh if the amount of bacteria growing in the flower water is kept to a minimum. You also need to provide food for the flower that it would have received from the plant had it not been cut. Add a few drops of vodka (or any clear spirit) to the vase water for antibacterial action along with 1 teaspoon sugar. Change the water every other day, refreshing the vodka and sugar each time.

Whatever method you choose to try and prolong the life of your lilies or brighten your blooms it’s important to remember to just enjoy them too. Flowers are by their nature a temporary gift but they are cherished in our memories forever.