Fresh Cut Flower Preservative Mixture & Bouquet Tips

Do preservatives really work? YES they do. Commercially made powders deter bacteria and mold, provide sucrose to feed the flowers, and acidify the water (which helps stems take up more water). From my favorite garden magazine, Garden Gate, June 2010 issue.

• Ready In: 10 mins
• Yields: 1 quart

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  household chlorine  bleach
• 1  quart water, warm water at 100-110 F is best

Directions

1. Measure, mix and use!
2. Tips:.
3. Outdoors: Harvest flowers when it's cool outside, in the early morning after the dew has dried.
4. Cut stems at an angle, remove all foliage that will be under the water, so it won't rot.
5. Place stems in a clean container of water, a bucket will do.
6. Indoors: Either in the bucket or fill the sink with water, cut 1" off the stems while under water (to keep air bubbles form blocking the stems).
7. Place stems in the prepared water the floral preservative.
8. Every few days replace the vase water and preservative and recut the stems under water.