A bouquet of fresh flowers can brighten up any room, but before long, they start to wilt and die. "Taking proper care of your flowers will help them last longer," says Kate Law, product designer for ProFlowers. But there's no need to buy fancy preservative. Follow these steps by Law and Michael Gaffney, founder of the New York School of Flower Design, to keep your flowers living longer with common household ingredients.
Step 1: Add 1 quart warm water to a clean vase.
Step 2: Pour 2 Tbsp sugar into the water. The sugar will help nourish the flowers and promote opening of the blooms.
Step 3: Add 2 Tbsp white vinegar and stir well. The vinegar helps inhibit the growth of bacteria and keeps your flowers fresher longer. If you don't have vinegar and/or sugar, lemon-lime soda mixed with the water will do the same thing.
Step 4: Remove all lower leaves from flowers so there won't be any in the water.
Step 5: Cut 1 to 2 inches off the stems at an angle while they are under water.
Step 6: Arrange your flowers in the vase.
Step 7: Display your bouquet in a cool, draft-free area. Avoid direct sunlight, which causes the flowers to die more quickly.
Step 8: Change the water every other day and re-cut the stems each time.
Step 9: Enjoy your long-lasting flowers!
Other Pointers: • Tulips grow a few inches after they are cut and will continue to grow toward the closest light source.
•Hyacinths should not be cut down off the bulb. They actually last longer if left on the bulb.
• Daffodils should not be put in a vase with other flowers. They secrete a substance that kills other flowers when in the same vase.
Content Collaboration with Women's Day