Homemade Flower Food to Make Those Blooms Last Longer
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Here's a few simple things you can do to prolong the life of those beautiful blooms and fresh cut flowers.
When cutting from your own garden, try to cut blossoms early in the morning when they're fully hydrated. Cut the stems with sharp shears then immediately put the stems in water. And whether your flowers are from home or the market, the next step is a must for making fresh cut blooms look better for longer. The key? Those tiny little packets of flower food that often come with the flowers that follow you home. While these floral preservatives are available at most florist shops, making your own is super easy from just four ingredients that you probably already own.
HOMEMADE FLOWER FOOD
- 1 teaspoon sugar (feeds them)
- 1 teaspoon bleach (fights bacteria)
- 2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice (adjusts the pH)
- 1 quart lukewarm water
Once you have it mixed, grab a clean vase and remove all the leaves that would be underwater in the vase. Fill the vase with your flower food, recut the stems at a 45-degree angle, arrange and enjoy...indirect light is best. Recut the stems in a day or two and top off your water as needed to prevent wilting.
While nothing compares to their fresh cut beauty, you can rest assured that you've done everything possible to enjoy them to the full!
