How can i extend the life of roses once i've gotten them from the florist? They begin to wilt after 2 days.
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Answers:
cut the stems at an angle under cool running water before putting them in a vase of sugar water. the florist also should have some stuff you can put in the water to help keep them fresh longer.
put sugar in the bottom with the water and re cut the stems before you do that...
I heard from someone that aspirin dropped in the water helps to feed them. I do not know if this is true, though.
Use cool water, and change it everyday. Make sure there are no leaves below the water line. Do not put them in direct sunlight or under a vent. You can also put them in the refrigerator at night.
Some say to put sugar in the water others say aspirin. I use sugar, about a 1/4 of a teaspoon for a dozen. Change the water every day and, put them in the frig overnight as coolness will help preserve them as well. Make sure to use cold water.
Trimming the stems and fresh water work somewhat.
Put some water with sugar and mix it together and then they will last up to a week or more it just depends keep them in a fresh area were is not hot at all. I do it all the time and it last a lot.
I've heard of adding many different things to the water (aside from the little packets that you can get from the florist). I usually add either lemon-lime soda (7-Up) or vodka. It really does work. Each works in a different way, but the soda method is probably a little more practical. It gives them food (sugars), and the water being a little acidic makes it easier for it to travel up the stems. (Pretty much the same thing that the little packets from the florist do.)
Vodka works as a preservative, causing the flowers to ripen and wilt slower. It has to be diluted, though, or you could actually hurt the flowers.
For the 7-Up solution:
You can try a 1/1 ratio (one can of fresh water to one can of 7-Up or Sprite) or a 3/1 ratio (three water to one soda). Add a few drops of bleach to kill bacteria (because the sugar in the soda can encourage bacteria to grow).
Cut about 1/2 to 1 inch of the stem off when you get the flowers home - it helps keep air from getting sucked into the stem, as well as getting rid of any bacteria that might be hanging around there. Put the flowers in a clean vase and add the soda solution. About every 3 days or so, cut the stems again, clean the vase, and completely replace the solution. Keep the flowers in a bright, cool spot.
Hope this helps!
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