We love being surrounded by flowers. They give a sense of celebration and good mood. And you always want to keep them longer as a memory of a past event. The life of a cut flower is quite short, but we can prevent it from withering prematurely.
Can different flowers be in the same bouquet
Combined bouquets look beautiful, but you need to be careful, because the proximity to plants of another family can speed up the death of the entire composition. If you want flowers to last longer, give preference to mono-bouquets.
Roses and carnations do not tolerate "strangers" in the neighborhood, that is, only their brothers can be in one vase. Spring flowers loved by many - tulips and daffodils - cannot be put together. By the way, there are plants that, when cut, accelerate the wilting of others. These include daffodils, lilies of the valley, tubular lilies. But there are also helpers that are universal for any bouquet. So that the flowers stand longer, you can add a sprig of cypress, geranium or arborvitae to the vase.
If different species in one composition began to fade quickly, try to separate them by varieties andput in different vessels.
Choosing a vase for flowers
The first landmark is the volume of the bouquet. The vase should not be too bulky so that the stems do not fall, bending over the edges. Tightness is also not the best choice, you will injure the flowers with each change of water.
The ideal vase height is up to the middle of the flower stem. So, you can ensure the right water level and keep the bouquet decorative.
To keep the flowers longer, do not place the vase next to ripe fruit. Despite the beautiful combination, the ethylene released will speed up the fall of the petals.
Stem care
You brought the bouquet home. Do not rush to remove the packaging from it and put the flowers in a vase.
It is better to place the bouquet in a bucket filled with water at room temperature for several hours (only buds should remain on the surface). So they will adapt to new conditions.
To make the flowers last longer by releasing them from the packaging, be sure to remove any leaves and thorns that will be submerged in water, and cut about a centimeter from the tip of each stem. Moreover, the hard stem needs to be split and fixed with a match, the hard stems of the shrub should be slightly crushed.
Dahlias and poppies require special care. You will need a candle, over which you need to burn the end of the stem and put the plant in cold water.
In order for fresh flowers to stand for a long time, it is necessary to change the water daily and trim the stem a little.
What should be the water for flowers
Cold tap water, likethe chlorine contained in it is not good for you or the plants. Be sure to let her rest and warm up. Flowers at this time can be wrapped in a damp towel and put in a cool place.
Chemistry in your home that can prolong the life of flowers
There are plenty of tips on how to make cut flowers last longer. Flower growers even carried out home experiments, putting the same plants in different solutions. We present the results of one of them. One rose was placed in 11 different vessels, and for eight days the water did not change, the sections were not updated.
- On the second day the flower died in a s alt solution (2 tablespoons per 0.5 l of water).
- On the third day, the rose withered, standing in water with an Aspirin tablet (1 tablet per 100 g of water).
- The next day it was time for a flower in a solution of glycerin (1 teaspoon per 0.5 l of water) and standing in plain water, without additives.
- In a special composition "Chrusal" for cut flowers, in a solution of sugar (50 g per 0.5 l of water) and in water with potassium permanganate, roses lasted five days.
- The objects of the experiment stood for six days in a solution of vodka (50 g per 0.5 l of water) and a special agent "Bona Forte".
- After seven days the flower wilted in water with citric acid (on the tip of a spoon).
- On the last, eighth, day, the experimenters saw that the rose in Sprite was holding up well.
These results can be improved if you choose the most effective remedy and follow the requirements of daily water changes, as well as cutting the stem. Do not forget about the temperature regime (flowers will not live long in the heat and stuffiness), the absence of drafts and too bright lighting.
When choosing plants for a bouquet, many are interested in what flowers last the longest. Long-livers include red roses, chrysanthemums, orchids, gerberas.
How to revive already fading flowers
If the petals begin to wither from the heat, spray them with a spray bottle. By doing this procedure several times a day, you will significantly increase the life of flowers. There are also resuscitation procedures:
- Wrap each flower tightly in newspaper and leave overnight (up to the inflorescence) in cool water. In the morning it will be fresh and elastic.
- When this stops helping, drop ammonia into the water. This will allow the flowers to last a few more days.
- You can dip the stems in boiling water for 5 minutes, and then, as usual, put in a vase.
You can use all of the above methods to make flowers last longer. Roses are the most popular gift for an anniversary, wedding or March 8th. What do these capricious beauties love? They do not tolerate high temperatures and dry air, so choose the coolest place, even if you have to keep them on the bathroom floor all hot days, and put them on the table only in the evening. Spray the buds morning and evening.
Rosettes need cold boiled water, with daily replacement. It's good if you give them nightbathing in the bath (heads should be above water). All thorns and leaves up to half of the stem must be removed and the stem cut obliquely at each change of water. Light varieties will please you for up to 10 days, and dark varieties for up to three weeks with proper care.
Summary of conclusions
Cut flowers can please us for a long time. The main thing is to observe the temperature regime, monitor the humidity of the air, change the water and cut the stem. When the life of the bouquet comes to an end, use a nightly “soldering” in a bucket of water or a bathtub. So you give him a second youth. Various water additives can help prolong the life of flowers somewhat.
