In Part 1, we discussed how flower food works and three recipes to make your own. Here, we are making it even simpler by using just one common ingredient. We also discuss other ways to extend the life of your flowers. Enjoy!
Other DIY Flower Food Recipes
If you don’t have all the products required for liquid flower food, try using the following common items that you probably have in your pantry.
Alum powder: Alum (potassium aluminum sulfate) is a food additive that is ideal for pickling and canning. It helps create crisp pickled fruits or vegetables. Before you place a freshly-cut stem into the water, dip the edge of the stem into alum powder. This will help the flower draw water up the stem and keep them fresh.
Aspirin: Crush an aspirin and add it to the water in the vase.
Baking soda: Dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda into a vase of fresh water. Baking soda can slow or stop the growth of fungi.
Sugar: Dissolve 2 tablespoons of sugar in a vase of lukewarm water. Sugar acts as a vitamin for the flowers' stems, giving them the nutrients needed for strength and longevity.
Additional Ways To Extend The Life of Your Flowers
Flower food is a key component to achieving a long-lasting floral arrangement, but these seven tips for basic cut flower care will allow the food to work more effectively.
- Always use a clean vase to help prevent bacteria from harming your flowers.
- Cut flower stems at an angle, 1-2 inches from the bottom, to ensure sufficient water intake.
- Remove any leaves touching the water in the vase, as that will promote bacterial growth.
- Change the vase’s water every 2-3 days and add additional flower food.
- Trim the flowers and remove wilting flowers as needed.
- Keep your arrangement away from direct sunlight or heating and cooling vents to keep them from drying out.
- If possible, place the vase in a refrigerator each night.
To revive wilting flowers in a vase, increase the temperature of water. Warm water will be absorbed faster into a stem than cold water, so it is helpful in reviving wilted flowers. If the wilting is really bad, you can even use hot water over 110 degrees Fahrenheit.