Have you been looking for a way to keep your bouquet of flowers fresh as long as possible? There is a simple thing you can do to extend their life. It’s relatively simple.
By using common household ingredients, you can create your own flower food. This will help your blooms stay vibrant and healthy longer. Let’s go over why you should use flower food, essential ingredients, the recipe, and more.
Why Use Flower Food?
You should be adding flower food to your arrangements. They help keep cut flowers looking fresh. Flower food has the necessary nutrients flowers need to thrive. Additionally, flower food prevents bacterial growth, which would normally cause an arrangement to spoil. Flower food mimics the natural nutrient cycle of flowers.
Essential Ingredients
Sugar is a critical part of flower food because it provides energy for your flowers. Just like in a plant’s natural environment, sugar acts as a food source. It helps flowers to continue growing and thriving even after being cut.
White vinegar is also important because it maintains the water’s pH level. By keeping water slightly acidic, flowers are able to absorb nutrients more effectively and prevent bacterial growth.
A small amount of bleach in your flower food prevents bacteria growth. This keeps the water clear and free from bacteria. Keep this at bay because it can cause flowers to wilt prematurely.
A Step-by-Step Guide
Cleaning Your Vase
A clean vase is another key step to preventing bacterial growth. Wash whatever vase you want to use thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Then, rinse well to make sure no soap residue is left behind. This allows flowers to absorb nutrients without having to deal with harmful bacteria.
Mixing the Ingredients
To make flower food, combine two tablespoons of white vinegar, two tablespoons of sugar, and one quart of warm water. Stir the flower food mixture until the sugar has dissolved completely.
Filling the Vase
Pour the flower food mixture into a freshly washed vase. Ensure that the solution is deep enough to submerge stems without causing an overflow. This helps flowers absorb the nutrients they need to stay fresh and vibrant.
Preparing and Arranging Flowers
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Trimming the Stems
Cut the stem at a 45-degree angle about an inch off the bottom. Cut at this angle because it increases the surface area on the stem’s bottom for water to absorb. It’s highly recommended that you make these cuts under running water or in a bowl of water. Why? It prevents air bubbles from entering the stems. If air bubbles get into the stem, then this can prevent water absorption.
Removing Lower Leaves
Remove any leaves that would end up below the waterline. Leaves that are submerged in water can decompose quickly. Leaving them in the water can promote mold and bacterial growth. This would shorten the lifespan of your flowers.
Arranging the Flowers
Place the flowers in your vase already filled with homemade flower food. Be sure that all of the stems are submerged in the solution. Arrange the flowers evenly to create a balanced, visually appealing display.
Wrapping Up
Making your own flower food at home is easy, cost-effective, and helps extend the life of your floral arrangements. By following these simple steps—cleaning your vase, mixing the ingredients, trimming stems, and maintaining your arrangement—you can enjoy vibrant flowers for a longer time.
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