How To Keep Flowers Fresh Longer

Cut flowers make us feel good. They help us celebrate special events and communicate emotions by saying thank you, get well, I'm sorry, and I love you. Then there's the special joy of receiving flowers, whether it's a red rose from the local florist or a fistful of dandelions from your daughter. Flowers, especially the intention behind them, mean so much. Unfortunately though, flowers wilt. Do you ever feel delighted to receive beautiful flowers only to feel a little depressed as you watch them fade? While you can't bring cut flowers back to life, here are some tips for keeping them looking fresh longer.

How to Lengthen the Life of Your Arrangement

A little extra care can make a big difference for any size flower arrangement or fresh flower bouquet.

Most floral arrangements last 4-7 days or longer, depending on the flowers used and the care they receive. The Society of American Florists provides these tips for longer-lasting, more vibrant flowers:

For floral arrangements:

Keep the vase filled (or floral foam soaked) with water containing a flower food provided by your florist. Flower foods make flowers last longer but it is important to follow the mixing directions on the flower food packet. Most packets are to be mixed with either a pint or a quart of water. Flower foods should not be diluted with more water than is specified on the packet.

If the flower food solution becomes cloudy, replace it entirely with properly mixed flower food solution. If possible, re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife. Be sure to use a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems. Immediately place the stems into solution.

Keep flowers in a cool spot (65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit), away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or on top of televisions or radiators. (Appliances like televisions give off heat, which causes flowers to dehydrate.) Most flowers will last longer under cool conditions.

For loose bunches or boxed flowers:

Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them in a flower food solution. Don't forget how important it is to follow the mixing directions on the flower food packet.

Fill a clean (washed with a detergent or antibacterial cleaning solution), deep vase with water and add a flower food from your florist. Remove leaves that will be below the waterline. Leaves in water will promote bacterial microbial growth that may limit water uptake by the flower. Re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife. Place the flowers in the vase solution you've prepared.

If you purchase loose flowers for your own arrangements you should also consider these tips:

When selecting flowers, look for flowers with upright, firm petals and buds beginning to open. Yellow, spotted or drooping leaves are signs of age.
When using woody stems and branches (such as quince, forsythia or lilac), cut the stem with sharp pruning shears. Place them in warm water containing fresh flower food to promote flower opening.

No-nonsense ways to keep cut flowers longer

- Use plain, lukewarm water for most cut flowers, but use cold water for bulb flowers, such as daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips.

- Change the water every 2 days -- don't just top it off. This is the single most effective thing you can do to keep your flowers looking fresh.

- Keep flowers out of direct sunlight, and move them to a cool place at night.

- Give daffodils their own vase -- daffodil stems give off a compound that is toxic to other flowers.

- Keep cut flowers away from fruit, which releases a gas that causes flowers to age faster.

Put a penny in the vase: Wives' tale or real solution?

If you don't like to use chemicals to prolong the life of your cut flowers, there are "natural" alternatives. Some methods work better than others. Here's one for you: does a penny and an aspirin tablet placed in the vase water really do any good? Some say the combination does keep flowers fresh longer. 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.

Plant Care Tips: Green Thumb Not Required

Not only are green and flowering plants a great enhancement to any home or office decor, they are also beneficial to your health. The results of a study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) show that common houseplants are powerful, natural air cleaners - all the more reason why you want to keep your plants healthy with the proper care.

Most plants come with care instructions specified for the type of plant. The Society of American Florists provides these additional general guidelines to keep most green houseplants thriving:

Keep plants in medium-light locations - out of direct sunlight. Natural light is best, but some plants can also thrive in office fluorescent light. Most flowering potted plants should be placed in areas with the most light in order to maintain good flower color and promote the maximum number of flowers to open. Foliage plants will do well under lower light levels and can be placed in areas providing reduced light.

Plant soil should be kept moist at all times. Plants should not be allowed to dry out or wilt. Be careful to avoid overwatering - do not allow plants to stand in water. Avoid wetting plant leaves.

Avoid excessive heat or cold. Plants should be kept in a cool spot (between 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit) for best performance. They should be kept away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or on top of televisions or radiators. (Appliances like televisions give off heat, which causes plants to dehydrate.)

May your flowers bring you joy--for a long time.


Mẹo Giữ Hoa Tươi Lâu

Nếu biết cách chăm sóc, hoa hồng và một số loài hoa khác có thể tươi nguyên đến hơn 4 ngày mà vẫn không bị rụng cánh hoặc héo úa. Một số mẹo vặt của những chuyên gia cây cảnh sẽ giúp hoa của bạn tươi suốt những ngày xuân.

Để tránh cảnh hoa héo úa rụng cành sớm, trước hết phải chọn hoa thật tươi để mua. Với hoa hồng, cần chọn mua những hoa không bị nở toét. Nếu mua cả đóa, nên loại những hoa có dấu hiệu héo úa ra khỏi đóa vì chỉ cần 1 hoa héo có thể sẽ ảnh hưởng đến các hoa xung quanh.

Rửa bình hoa thật sạch trước khi cắm hoa. Khi cắt bớt cành để trang trí, nên nhúng vào nước, dùng kéo để cắt, khi cắt phải dùng kéo thật bén để không làm rộng các vết cắt trên cây hoa. Cần cắt bỏ hết các lá phần cành hoa cắm vào bình nước và thường xuyên cắt bớt phần cuối gốc cành tiếp để tránh lá tiếp xúc với nước gây thối rữa.

Thay nước hoa mỗi ngày vào lúc sáng sớm và chiều tối, buổi tối nên mang ra ngoài sân để hoa được hứng những giọt sương mai.

1 lít nước bình hoa có thể pha 2 muỗng canh nước cốt chanh, 1 muỗng canh đường, nửa muỗng cà phê thuốc tẩy. Cũng có thể dùng nước súc miệng Listerine pha vào nước cắm hoa theo tỉ lệ 60g Listerine/5 lít nước.

Một số chuyên gia còn cho biết, nghiền nát 1 viên vitamin B1 hòa vào nước cắm hoa sẽ giúp hoa tươi lâu hơn.

Cần tránh ánh nắng chiếu trực tiếp vào hoa và chưng bình hoa nơi thoáng mát, xa quạt máy để hoa không bị héo vì mất nước. Nếu muốn giữ hoa ở hình dáng ban đầu, không nở xòe ra và rơi rụng cánh, có thể dùng keo xịt tóc, cầm bình xịt cách hoa khoảng 30 cm phun hướng lên.

Mong những cánh hoa tươi đẹp mang niềm vui đến cho quý vị.

Sưu Tầm