Fresh Cut Flowers question...???

Is it true about putting an asprin and a penny makes them last longer???



Also, should the water be room temp??? Why??



any advice appreciated. I want these flowers to last! Theyre gorgeous!! =)

Fresh Cut Flowers question...???
"The Brooklyn Botanical Garden recommends a homemade mixture that works as well as the commercial variety. Mix 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon bleach, and 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice in a quart of warm water. Warm water is important because it’s more easily absorbed. However, cold weather blooms, such as tulips, thrive in cold vase water."



That is taken straight out of a web site. The entire article can be read by going to the source. Additional help tips are found in the second source sited.
Reply:recently someone asked a similar question. i'll post my answer to them here and hope it helps.



but before that, specifically addressing the penny thing: only some flowers respond to that. tulips certainly do... makes them stand nice and straight.. as does pricking all the way through the stem just below the blossom with a pin... believe it or not.



the aspirin thing is a common treatment for roses. but what they really need is good clean cuts (made under water), refreshed water every 2-3 days and good solid blooms to begin with.



so without knowing what kind of flowers you received, read on for a more general reply.



enjoy your beautiful flowers!







Best Answer - Chosen by Asker



QUESTION (from samantha): I received a bouquet of flowers today... BUT...? like all other times... it didn't come with a packet of its food... So... I wanted to know... can I throw sugar cubes in its vase?





ANSWER: lucky you, receiving a bouquet of flowers!



and yes, you can do the sugar thing (not too much) or you can add seven-up or sprite to the water (it's the sugar in that that is good), or an aspirin ...although i don't why...



but the best thing you can do is just put a 1/4 teaspoon of bleach in atleast one litre of water.



it discourages the organisms that can clog the stems and make the flower stalk unable to take up water... thus shortening the life of the flower considerably.



i come from a european family that bought flowers every week with their groceries. flowers were as important as buying milk and bread. i still do that and i still do the bleach thing. i do it because it works! i've experimented and there's no doubt that it does lengthen the amount of time the cut flowers stay fresh and turgid and beautiful.



and yes, definitely cut the stems again, and every two or three days thereafter when you refresh the water. depending on what kind of flowers, you should cut the stems on an extreme angle (diagonally - so it has the greatest water uptake surface) and do so under water or under the tap if possible. this makes sure that the stem does not dry up at all and subsequently block the water uptake capabilities.



if you really want to be anal about it, you can put the flowers somewhere cool at night or when you're not home. the warmth of the sun and home also shortens the enjoyment span of the flowers.



long answer, but these are the tips that i think are invaluable.



enjoy your flowers!
Reply:Using a crushed aspirin and a penny does work! The theory is that the copper acts a fungicide and the aspirin makes the water more acidic. Here are more food + acid combinations:



Add one part lemon-lime soda (not diet) to 3 parts water. Then to each quart of this solution, add 1/4 teaspoon bleach. Thereafter, add 1/4 teaspoon bleach after each 4 days of use.



To 1 quart water add 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon bleach.



Add 2 ounces Listerine mouthwash per gallon of water. Listerine contains sucrose (food) and a bactericide. Listerine is acidic and is said help water move up the cut stem.



I use cool water and it works well.



Enjoy your beautiful flowers!