The 4-Ingredient Recipe That Makes Flowers Last Longer

by **Nanneerose** Mon Feb 29, 2016 8:48 pm

Professional florists all agree — skipping floral food is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to cut flowers. Even the most basic of grocery store bouquets come with the tiny packets. But when springtime rolls around and there's plenty of fresh blooms in the backyard, what's a recreational gardener to do?
Making your own flower preservative is super easy, according to this recipe from the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. It takes just four ingredients that you already probably own, and they each work their own magic to keep flowers looking better for longer. Check it out:

Homemade Flower Food

1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon bleach
2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice
1 quart lukewarm water

For a mini science lesson, carbs like sugar feed the plant, bleach fights bacteria, and the acidic citrus adjusts the pH. As for the water temperature, experts recommend always using lukewarm water to help the stems drink faster. The notable exception is spring bulb flowers like tulips, which do best in cold H20. Now if only the buds outside would bloom a little sooner...

The 4-Ingredient Recipe That Makes Flowers Last Longer 1456518040-syn-clg-1456418457-gettyimages-122006126

http://www.countryliving.com/gardening/a37775/cut-flower-food-recipe/

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