A question about cut flowers.

[Raven]

I have my dream flower garden now. Lots of stuff that I can cut and bring in. But these flowers seem to wilt very quickly. Any ideas on how to keep them vibrant longer?

[knitter4democracy]

1. A florist told me to use Sprite.

Any of the clear soft drinks, she said, are the same as flower food.

What flowers are you using? Some really don't last as cut flowers for that long, no matter what you try.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. Silly question.

Are these varieties advertised as good cut flowers?

The reason I ask is that I've made the mistake of cutting beautiful flowers only to discover that they will never hold up in the vase.

Some flowers will hold up for just a couple of days (sweetpeas, for one) and others may last for a couple of weeks (e.g. Sweet Williams and some roses.)

Beyond that, cut them in the morning and remove all foliage below the water line. Add a drop of chlorine to the water. Some people dissolve a little sugar, but we don't do that.Change the water every other day. There are floral additives that will help but on those I know nothing.

[stellanoir]

3. Yup

Sprite or 7up sodas work really well as preservatives. Not too much though. Just a splash or two.

I was told that it's both the citrus and the sugar that help to sustain the blooms.

[noamnety]

4. aspirin

cut flowers love aspirin. (So do veggies in the garden)

http://www.plantea.com/plant-aspirin.htm