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We really want our cut flowers to please the eye for as long as possible. And what a shame it is when they quickly lose all their beauty and attractiveness.
We are in website We tried to figure out what the reason was and collected simple and proven ways to extend the life of bouquets.
Place the flowers in a large, clean container
Always use a clean container to reduce the risk of bacteria and other microorganisms that could harm your flowers. Select wide mouth container so as not to crush the stems.
Place flowers in hot water
Not boiling, of course. The temperature should be approximately 43–44 ºC. And place the container with flowers in a cool place for a couple of hours. Molecules hot water move faster along the stem, while flowers lose less moisture due to cool air. Thanks to this, the lifespan of the flower increases. This the process is called "quenching".
Or in warm water if you don’t want to use “hardening”
If you do not use the previous method, then simply place the bouquet in warm water or into the water room temperature. Cut flowers absorb warm water much better than cold water.. But flowers with bulbs are best stored in cold water.
Remove the lower leaves
To keep flowers fresh longer, remove any leaves that fall into the water in the vase. Leaves that are underwater begin to rot very quickly, providing food for bacteria that can damage the rest of the plant.
Change the water
Change the water every day to keep your flowers fresh. Remove all debris from the container before adding fresh water. This will reduce the risk of infection.
Cut stems at an angle
Be sure to trim off the ends of all stems. Do this with a sharp knife at an angle of 45°. So it will be for the flowers Easier to absorb moisture. It is advisable to do this immediately before immersing the stems in water.
And if we are talking about roses, then It’s better to trim the stems under water: The rose is extremely sensitive to air bubbles and bacteria, which impede the absorption of moisture, which often leads to rapid wilting.
Use flower preservatives
You can either buy them at the gardening department or prepare them yourself. Thanks to preservatives the flowers will remain fresh for a long time because they receive everything they need for life. In addition, preservatives contain biocides that prevent the spread of bacteria.
Universal preservative recipe - a mixture of citrus soda and bleach. Add any carbonated drink that contains sugar and acid to your water.
Use 1 part soda to 3 parts water, then add a few drops of bleach (but no more!) to kill harmful microorganisms. This mixture is much more effective than many store-bought preservatives.
Protect flowers from sun, heat and fruits
Every time a person receives a bouquet of flowers as a gift, he hopes to preserve this beauty for as long as possible. However, the life span of cut flowers does not always live up to expectations. There can be many reasons for this - from various signs, such as the one that the gift was not from the heart, to the dishonesty of florists who, in pursuit of profit, sell not very fresh specimens.
However, there are several secrets on how to keep cut flowers in a vase longer, which you will learn about in this article.
Proper care to keep flowers longer
Freshly cut flowers, like regular indoor flowers in pots, require proper care. A bouquet of flowers in a vase is influenced by various factors - water quality and temperature. Therefore, if the question arises of how to store flowers longer, each of these aspects should be considered in more detail.
Water
Ordinary tap water is quite suitable as a liquid for flowers. However, it contains a considerable amount of salts and bleach, which have a very unfavorable effect on the bouquet.
Therefore, flowers are best preserved in water that has been passed through a filter or left to sit for some time.
Important: take into account the fact that some varieties of flowers continue to grow even after cutting (for example, anemones, hydrangeas, etc.), and, as a result, actively consume liquid, which needs to be topped up periodically. Also, if the bouquet has been standing for a long time, a bad-smelling film should not form in the vase. In this case, the water needs to be urgently replaced and the stems rinsed.
Cutting the stem and removing the foliage
Once you have received it in your hands flower arrangement, the first thing to do is shorten the stem and remove the lower leaves. These manipulations will allow the flower not to waste vitality to unnecessary parts and stay fresh longer. In addition, greens placed in liquid begin to rot after a while.
However, if you are performing such actions for the first time, then, most likely, you are wondering how much you can cut so that the flower not only does not lose appearance, but did not die immediately. Here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Make the bottom cut obliquely, removing no more than one centimeter. Then cut the stem vertically so that it divides into two parts. The length of such a section should be approximately one and a half centimeters. It is recommended to perform these manipulations with the blade of a stationery knife. However, if you don’t find one, you can resort to sharp scissors. A dull instrument, on the contrary, will harm the flower.
- Leaves can be removed from a maximum of two-thirds of the entire length of the stem. In addition to the lower ones, attention should be paid to those that have lost the brightness of their color and have withered. They can either be cut with scissors or torn off by hand. In the latter case, you must try to break off the leaf so as not to damage the stem.
Temperature
Many people know the children's saying, “A rose withers from frost, and a carnation from heat,” but not everyone has thought about its truthfulness. In fact, for each type of flower there is optimal temperature which should be followed.
- Temperature + 5 is favorable for peonies, lilies, tulips, irises, carnations, roses, daffodils.
- From + 5 and above for: gladioli, cymbidium, anthurium.
Advice: If you are thinking about how to preserve a bouquet of roses longer, then remove all the leaves from the stems that are under water. This will prevent rapid rotting. But it is better not to break off the thorns, if there are any, as without them the flowers will not last long.
Neighborhood with fruits
You should not be careless when choosing the location of the vase. It is recommended to place the bouquet in a place isolated from fruit. This is due to the active production of ethylene by this product, which promotes faster ripening of plants. As a result of such proximity, the buds and leaves of flowers can very soon fall off.
This mainly applies to bananas and apples, as well as tomatoes.
Food for cut flowers
In addition to the points described above, there are a number of components that are recommended to be added to the water in the vase. Any of them can be found in almost every home.
Most of these methods help to extend the life of flowers by disinfecting the liquid in which bacteria actively multiply.
Streptocide
This medication is approved for free dispensing in pharmacies; its purchase does not require a prescription or large material costs. The drug is mainly used for various skin diseases, as it kills bacteria during wound suppuration. It is on the antibacterial properties of streptocide that its use in floristic applications is based.
In order to disinfect liquid with this product, you should dilute one sachet in three liters of water, into which you then place the prepared flowers.
Apple cider vinegar + sugar
In most cases, pure granulated sugar acts as a top dressing. On average, you should add about one and a half teaspoons of sugar per liter of liquid. This ratio creates a kind of glucose solution, which has a positive effect on flowers.
However, for some varieties, water with sugar can be supplemented with vinegar, which should be poured in no more than a tablespoon. Such an environment is “liked” by dahlias, for example.
Aspirin
Acetylsalicylic acid is a drug whose action is similar to streptocide. To achieve the effect, you should dilute one tablet in a liter of settled or filtered water. This solution is more favorable for chrysanthemums and roses.
Lemon acid
Another composition that many types of cut flowers belong to is water with the addition of citric acid. To obtain the required concentration in a liter of liquid, it is recommended to dissolve half a teaspoon of lemon.
Bleach
Keep the water in the vessel as clean as possible long time you can by adding literally one drop of ordinary white to it. But in this case it is still worth observing the measure.
Coins
If you don’t have any remedy at hand, then simply throw a copper coin into the vase before placing the bouquet there. The impact of this item is due to the material it is made of. Copper particles react with water and trigger the oxidation process, which contributes to long-term storage of flowers. For greater effect, add a piece of refined sugar to the liquid.
Exposure to cold
Very often, flowers begin to wither due to the high temperature of the room in which they are located. You can correct the situation by placing them in the cold for several hours. But if the size of the refrigerator does not allow you to put a bouquet in it along with a vase, then you can only put the plants themselves. Wrap the ends of the stems with a wet cloth, and put a plastic bag or cling film on top.
Soda
You can extend the viability of purchased flowers using baking soda, which is actively used in other areas by gardeners. To do this, you need to make a weak soda solution in which the plant is placed. The following ratio must be observed: add one teaspoon of powder to one and a half liters of water.
"Sprite"
Despite its known destructive effect, soda is quite helpful in the fight for the longevity of cut flowers. This is explained by the considerable sugar content in the drink, which saturates the flowers.
To achieve the result, a medium-sized vase of flowers will only require a quarter of a standard glass of carbonated drink. It is best to use colorless “Sprite”, because it will not spoil the aesthetic appearance. But if you have a vessel made of dense non-glass material, Coca-Cola will do just fine.
Important: Whatever flower fertilizer you use, try to avoid getting it on the buds themselves. The same applies to spraying greenery to saturate it with moisture. Spray the liquid without touching the flower itself.
Despite the fact that cut flowers in bouquets play a more decorative role, remember that these are also living organisms that need care and attention. And since they delight you with their beauty, they definitely deserve due attention in return.
Luxurious inflorescences can delight you much longer than is commonly believed. It’s enough to know how to properly care for the flowers you’ve given, and the bouquet will last in a vase from several days to several weeks. Find out the tips from florists that will allow you to keep a bouquet of flowers in a vase for as long as possible.
Proper care of donated flowers
There is a sign: the longer a given bouquet stays in a vase, the better the person who gave it treats you. However, in order for a bouquet to stand in a vase for several days, it is necessary not only to rely on the donor, but also to follow certain rules. In different colors different requirements to illumination, water composition, pruning subtleties. So it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the recommendations of florists in order to preserve the bouquet for a long time.
What can I do to make the bouquet last longer? First of all, you should not place it next to heating devices or in a draft. Almost all plants cannot tolerate this. Another general rule- timely change of water: it must be fresh and clean. But it is worth considering that among flowering plants There are species that can stand for a very long time, and those that quickly fade.
How to prolong the beauty of gifted roses
The Queen of Flowers is very demanding about its environment and care, so many articles have been written on how to preserve it. If you receive fresh, half-opened buds, do not rush to immediately put the bouquet in a vase. Cut the stems obliquely, fill a large basin or bathtub with water and let the flowers swim for a while. They will absorb moisture and be able to resist wilting longer. Using the same method, you can revive roses in a bouquet if they drooped their heads during a long walk. But roses from the frost must first be removed from their packaging, wait until they warm up, and only then place them in a vase.
To make a bouquet of roses last longer, clean water won't be enough. Moisture evaporates rapidly from the surface of the leaves, so it is recommended to remove most of them and also cut off the thorns with a sharp knife. It is recommended to trim the lower parts of the stems under water.
If you want to keep the roses in the bouquet longer, add a little sugar to the vase. Another way is to dissolve an aspirin tablet. This will provide protection from bacteria and additional feeding. However, you can go a simpler route: buy it at a flower shop. special remedy for cut flowers.
How to care for tulips in a vase
Tulips are not too demanding, because these primroses have to bloom in early spring, when the weather is especially capricious. The resilience inherent in their wild counterparts has also been inherited by varietal tulips that are artificially grown in greenhouses. Having received a bouquet of tulips as a gift, you need to trim them, especially if the old cut looks a bit dry. This will help the flowers absorb the liquid well.
To make tulips last a long time, just feed them with sugar and put a few ice cubes in the water. The colder the water, the better the primroses will feel. It is worth considering that almost all bulbous plants consume a lot of water. So monitoring its level will help keep tulips in a vase for a long time. If necessary, replace the sugar solution with fresh one.
Chrysanthemums - how to preserve a bouquet
It is considered one of the most beautiful flowers. Breeders managed to develop many original varieties: with large and small flowers, perennial and annual, white, pink, yellow, red... The number of varieties is in the hundreds, so it is not surprising that bouquets of chrysanthemums are very popular.
If you want chrysanthemums to last a long time, the bouquet needs to be created comfortable conditions. Florists recommend not cutting the stems of these flowers, but breaking them off, and especially thick ones, slightly splitting them at the end. It is very important to rid the flowers of excess greenery: leaves that fall into the water will certainly rot, so it is better to completely clean the part that ends up in the vase.
To keep chrysanthemums in water for a long time, add aspirin (half a tablet is enough) or a pinch of granulated sugar. A little feeding will do the gift good.
If your bouquet consists of small-flowered chrysanthemums, pick off the faded inflorescences in time: new buds will bloom to replace them, and you will admire the magnificent spectacle for several days.
Alstroemeria bouquet - how to care
Alstroemeria in a vase is a magnificent sight, so it is worth making some effort to admire the bouquet for a longer time. Alstroemeria stays in a vase for a very long time (up to 3-4 weeks), if you follow simple care rules. First of all, it is important right choice places: the plant does not like either straight Sun rays, nor excessive shading. You will have to care for alstroemeria every day: the stems must be shortened and thoroughly washed under running water, otherwise they will quickly rot. Adding a small amount of sugar to the water will help speed up the opening of the buds, and citric acid, camphor alcohol or vinegar will help slow down the rotting of the stems (any of these substances should be added in a minimal amount).
How to care for gerbera in a vase
Bright multi-colored “daisies” have long appeared in flower shops, but not everyone knows how to preserve gerberas. These charming flowers can delight the eye for about two weeks, but for many they fade very quickly within one or two days after receiving the bouquet. This happens for two reasons:
- the stems of the flowers are quite fragile;
- tap water is used.
In order for gerberas to last longer, before placing them in a vase, the stems must be cut from the bottom by 1.5-2 cm. This can only be done with a very sharp knife: the blades of the scissors can damage the vessels, and moisture will not flow to the inflorescences. And to prevent air from clogging the vessels, pruning is carried out only under water.
If you want them to last longer in the vase, cut flowers need to be immersed in water. They will be saturated with moisture and will remain fresh much longer. The vase should be filled with settled water at room temperature, and to prevent rotting you can use citric acid(a few drops are enough), an aspirin tablet or activated carbon. There should be little water: its level should be 3-4 cm above the cut of the stems.
To keep gerberas fresh, they need daily care, which consists of shortening the stems by 1 cm. It is permissible to change the water every other day.
With proper care, cut flowers can stay fresh for about two weeks. There are several simple rules on how to keep roses in a vase longer.
How to prolong the beauty of a given bouquet of roses: general rules
These delicate flowers are afraid of sudden temperature changes. If the bouquet was carried along the street in cold weather, then if exposed to heat, you should not unwrap the packaging for 20–30 minutes and let the flowers “thaw.”
It is not advisable to place the bouquet near radiators, heating devices, as well as in a draft and sun. It is better if the room is cool, but not below +5°C. In winter, roses will feel great on an unheated glass balcony.
Choosing a vase
Most best option- a vase made of dark glass or ceramic that does not allow the rays of the sun to pass through. Due to this, the water in it will remain fresh longer. The vase should have a height of 40 to 60% of the length of the bouquet, and the volume should be such that the flowers in it are arranged freely. You should not choose a vase with a neck that is too narrow: oxygen access will be difficult.
Trimming
First you need to remove those leaves on the stems that are immersed in water. If this is not done, the leaves will begin to rot and the roses will wither faster.
You need to trim the stems while keeping them in water, otherwise the tubules will become clogged with air. The cut is made obliquely, at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and at a distance of 1-2 cm from the original cut. This will increase the absorption area of moisture and nutrients. For pruning, it is recommended to use pruners or a sharp knife.
Water and nutritional supplements
You need to use settled or filtered water. In summer, cool water is preferable for roses, and warm water in winter. To feed, you need to dissolve a piece of sugar in it.
It is also necessary to add an anti-rot agent (optional):
- a few drops of glycerin;
- activated carbon (a couple of tablets);
- 1 tsp. citric acid;
- half a glass of vodka;
- 1 tbsp. l. 9% vinegar;
- crushed aspirin tablet;
- several charcoals.
You can also use special industrial preparations. These are “Live Flowers”, “Live Rose”, Chrysal.
What colors would be bad next to each other?
The bouquet will fade faster if you place roses next to carnations, asters, sweet peas, daffodils and lilies of the valley. It is better not to put roses of different colors in the same vase. Brighter ones will cause flowers in pastel shades to quickly fade.
Flower care
The water needs to be changed daily. If aspirin is used, then 1 time every 2 days is enough. The vase should be washed, fresh water should be poured, and the anti-rotting agent and sugar should be added again. Rinse the stems under cool running water. Next, without removing it from the water, trim the ends.
Daily spraying is also beneficial for roses. But you need to make sure that the water does not end up in the middle of the corolla: the bud will begin to rot. The stems and leaves should be sprayed.
Pink and white roses stay fresh the longest. Let your bouquets be pleasing to the eye and warming the soul for as long as possible! If you have any good ways save flowers, share them with us in the comments.
The best gift for a woman, as you know, is a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Unfortunately, cut flowers at home wither rather quickly. But your favorite roses or tulips will be able to maintain their freshness if you use our tips on how to keep flowers in a vase longer. And chemistry and various chemical elements will help us in this difficult task.
General information
At the beginning of the 20th century, the first methods of preserving flowers using chemical methods. What experimenters did not do in the hope of preserving pristine freshness! Freshly cut flowers were treated with potassium permanganate, solutions of potassium nitrate, aspirin, boric or even nitric acid was added... However, the effectiveness of such actions was very low. However, having accumulated enough material, chemists realized that there are three main types of chemical compounds that help maintain plant life. They are divided into:
- metabolic inhibitors, i.e. slowing them down
- growth stimulants that support plant life,
- antiseptics and preservatives are substances that prevent rotting.
Currently, quite a lot of different complexes have been developed to extend the life of flowers. They can be freely purchased in flower shops or in stores for summer residents. Here are a few names of such ready-made mixtures: “Crysal”, “Vitant”, “Bud”, “Bouquet”, etc. However, today we will tell you how to preserve flowers longer at home using improvised means.
What you need to do before putting flowers in a vase
The procedure for preparing flowers is always the same: be sure to remove excess leaves and trim the stem. For these purposes, we use only a sharp knife, and make the cut at an angle of 45 degrees. Scissors are bad because they injure the stem, as if flattening it. It is better to prune under water to prevent excess air from entering the stem. Then don’t forget to change the water in the vase every day, trim the ends of the stems and spray the flowers with a spray bottle. Very good effect give cold baths: in the evening for a short time, but completely immerse the flowers in cold water. The water temperature should be lower than the air temperature in the apartment, this is about 10-15 o C. Now let's move on to the methods of preserving flowers.
How to preserve flowers longer at home
As we saw above, there are 3 main groups of substances that help preserve flowers. By consistently applying knowledge, we can ensure that the bouquet pleases us for as long as possible.
- First, let's treat the flowers with an antiseptic. A wide variety of microorganisms are always present on plant stems. By multiplying, they provoke decay processes, thereby shortening the life of the cut flower. To protect against microbes, you can use potassium permanganate, boric acid or ammonia. Place a few drops of the substance in water and place the stems there for about one hour. Tulips and carnations are very fond of this treatment. To prevent bacteria from growing in the water in a vase, add a quarter teaspoon of baking soda to it. You can also safely use any carbonated mineral water in a vase.
- Charcoal placed at the bottom of the vase - excellent remedy from rotting of the cut.
- For all colors will suit adding 2-3 aspirin tablets to the vase.
- Regular sugar will help support the life of the flower. To do this, just add a couple of spoons of sugar to the vase. It’s very good to add a couple of spoons there too apple cider vinegar.
- If you add a teaspoon of alcohol per liter of water, then asters and chrysanthemums will last much longer.
- But roses love salt. Half a teaspoon per vase is enough.
As you can see, extending the life of a bouquet is quite simple. To do this, it is enough to use simple chemical techniques to preserve flowers longer.
