While chemical
preservatives and floral foam are helpful in keeping flowers fresh, there are
many natural alternatives to help your bouquet live a full life. And they're all
as close as
your kitchen cupboard!
Starting Off
▪ When arranging or rearranging,
re-cut the stems diagonally using a knife or garden shears. Hold
the stem under
a steady flow of lukewarm water while cutting.
▪ Insert each flower separately
into a vase or container filled with room-temperature water.
▪ Dip rose stems into peppermint
oil before placing them into water.
Extending the Life of
Your Bouquet
▪ Add a few foxglove stalks around
the existing flowers.
▪ Add a tablespoon of white
vinegar to the water for anemones, lilies, and gladioli.
▪ Drop a pinch of salt into the
water for roses, snapdragons and violets.
▪ Mix two teaspoons of sugar or
lemonade to water containing asters and delphiniums.
▪ Drop a penny into a vase filled
with tulips.
• Reduce murky water by adding one
aspirin tablet.
▪ Spray a fine mist on leaves and
blossoms during hot-weather periods.
▪ Place your arrangement in a
temperate location, away from direct sunlight and electrical
appliances. Avoid
particularly humid or draughty areas.
Revitalizing Your
Bouquet
▪ Dip the flower stems into a cup
of vodka or gin for up to 5 seconds, then replace into fresh water.
▪ Immerse the whole flower –
stems and blossoms – into cool water for no more than 15 minutes.
▪ If only the blooms are drooping,
use a pin to prick the stem just beneath the flower.
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