Dry, parched flower petals look great in potpourri but not so great sticking out of a vase. From grocery store bundles to fancy florist arrangements, millions of colorful blooms brighten living rooms and moods for far less than the cost of a decorator or a psychopharmacologist.
But when stems droop and buds wither, you may wonder if the indulgence was worth it. We tested common home and florist strategies for lengthening the life of the ever-popular and ever-temperamental tulip to find out what really works.
Testing the Most Popular Flower-Prolonging Techniques
Our seven test bouquets all had the same humble beginnings: On Day One, their stems were cut, and they were immediately placed in identical vases. The vases all contained 36 ounces of fresh, room-temperature water; all but one also had an additive that was supposed to boost longevity. As the week progressed, the water level was kept constant. Here's how they fared.
Aspirin
The Theory: Aspiring increases the acidity of the water, helping it move up the stem.
Day 1: One 325-milligram Bayer coated tablet is dropped into the water.
Day 4: Drooping and sad, the tulips don't look as if they'll last much longer. Another tablet goes in the water.
Day 7: Yikes! More than half the petals have fallen off.
The Verdict: Painful. An aspirin a day may keep the doctor away, but not the florist.
Listerine Antiseptic
The Theory: Kills bacteria the way it kills plaque and halitosis.
Day 1: A capful of mouthwash is poured into the water.
Day 4: The stems are mostly upright and the tulips are beginning to open.
Day 7: This wild bunch seems to be heading in every possible direction.
The Verdict: Not much to smile about.
A Penny
The Theory: The copper can act as a natural antibacterial agent.
Day 1: A penny is added to the water.
Day 4: The flowers open and look a little droopy, but the dark tangerine color is still strong.
Day 7: The stems are heading in every possible direction, but the blooms have opened up in a fairly regular pattern.
The Verdict: The flowers were slow to bloom, bloomed beautifully, then withered quickly.
Bleach
The Theory: Prevents mold, which can kill flowers.
Day 1: A capful of bleach is added to the water.
Day 4: The stems are almost completely white. But the vibrant tangerine tulips are still erect.
Day 7: Still no mold, but the stems are now entirely white, and—like a white T-shirt that has soaked in bleach too long—the petals are yellowing.
The Verdict: It's a wash. The flowers stand tall, but their color doesn't.
Fresh Water
The Theory: Clean water will contain fewer bacteria.
Day 1: The ends are snipped by about 1/4 inch, as they will be every day. The vase gets fresh water every day, too.
Day 4: The stems are still relatively upright, and the blooms remain healthy.
Day 7: A few blooms are ready to be discarded, but with a little rearranging, the bouquet has life in it yet.
The Verdict: Opened beautifully, but the petals dropped like flies after Day 4.
Sugar
The Theory: Sugar duplicates the sugar rush that occurs during photosynthesis. It can, however, promote bacterial growth.
Day 1: One teaspoon of sugar is added to the water.
Day 4: Except for one limp stem, things look pretty good. One more packet of sugar gets poured into the water.
Day 7: The flowers have burst open, and the petals are beginning to curl.
The Verdict: Uneven blooming and splayed stems, but the flowers are mostly intact.
Flower Food
The Theory: Contains a biocide to kill bacteria, an acidifier to help stems drink water, and a sugar to nourish the blooms.
Day 1: One tablespoon from a packet is mixed into the water.
Day 4: Has sucked up more water than any other bouquet. Opening so beautifully that another tablespoon of the flower food isn't added until Day 5.
Day 7: The full bouquet has a soft, dramatic droop and, though fading fast, still gets Best in Show.
The Verdict: The winner of the bunch! Flower food is available at florist shops, or you can make your own.
10 Tips for Longer-Lasting Bouquets
Think of cut flowers like ice cream. Don't buy them unless you're rushing right home.
Use clean vases and tools. Mold speeds up the decaying process in flowers. (Make sure everything is well rinsed, too, since soap changes the pH of the water.)
Remove leaves that will be below the waterline. They promote bacteria growth that hinders circulation.
Don't bother cutting stems underwater. Just have your vase ready. The difference in life span is inconsequential.
Use a small hammer to smash the woody stems of flowers such as hydrangeas and lilacs so they can absorb water more easily.
Flowers from bulbs do better in cold water.
Don't mix daffodils with other flowers. They produce a sap that gums up other stems. (Soak daffodils for a few hours in a separate vase first if you plan to include them.)
Force unopened flowers to bloom in minutes by putting them in very warm tap water.
Wilted flowers, especially roses, can be revived by submerging them in cool water for a few hours.
Flowers will look fresher longer if they're kept off TVs, appliances, and heating or cooling units, which give off heat that wilts them. Also keep them out of direct sunlight and away from hot or cold drafts.
Read more at Real Simple
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