A fresh bouquet adds a lovely color and fragrance to a space. Adding some ingredients to a vase can help maintain the vibrancy and ideal appearance of your florals for longer. Discover how to make your flower food with these easy recipes and tips.
Flower Food Essentials
After cutting flowers, water and nourishment help preserve the blossoms. The flower food generally includes a trio of these common household items:
- Sugar: Energy helps buds open, keeps blossoms bright, and allows foliage to stay plump.
- An acidifier: Citric acid lowers the pH of the water, so it can move up the stems, hydrating the plant.
- A bacteria and fungus inhibiting agent: Bleach helps maintain the flower’s deal fragrance and prevents the water from getting cloudy to ensure your blooms last for as long as possible.
Follow one of these recipes with ingredients you have at home. Both options provide the three basic needs of flower food to give the same results as the usual packets you may find with your floral deliveries.
Flower Food Recipe #1
This first recipe requires a citrus soda — you can use any sweet or tangy flavor in your pantry or refrigerator. To make the first DIY flower food, gather the following ingredients:
- 12 fluid ounces of citrus soda
- 36 ounces of water
- 1.2 milliliters or 1 1/2 medicine droppers full of household bleach
Add the citrus soda first, water second, and bleach last. Since regular soda contains sugar, you don’t need to add any extra sugar to this recipe. Make sure you avoid the diet soda options — artificial sugar doesn’t provide enough nutrition for your florals and foliage.
Flower Food Recipe #2
This next recipe option calls for lime or lemon juice, although you can substitute it for 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid mixed with 2 teaspoons of water as a solution. Here’s the list of ingredients you need:
- 32 ounces of water
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lime or lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon of household bleach
In order of the list, add those ingredients to your vase of water and mix well. You can add any extras to other arrangements or adjust the recipe to make more or less with ratios remaining the same. This solution isn’t kid or pet-safe, so please ensure you keep any leftovers stored away and out of reach.
Tips for Making DIY Flower Food
In addition to providing your bouquet with flower food, a few practices can help keep your bouquet beautiful and healthy. Enjoy having flowers last a longer timeline when you follow these guidelines:
- Trim the stems: If your florals and greenery arrive in a box or tied with a rubber band, you should trim 2-5 inches off the stems at a 45-degree angle — cutting them under water prevents air bubbles so the stems can better absorb the flower food.
- Remove lower leaves: After filling your vase with water 3/4 of the way or by the instructions provided with your delivery, you should remove any submerged leaves to keep the water fresh.
- Refresh your vase’s water: You should pour the water out every two to three days. If it gets cloudy, thoroughly clean your container before refilling the water with more flower food to keep the contents healthy.
- Keep away from direct sunlight: Display your gorgeous florals away from heat and sunlight for a longer life span.
- Pay attention to water temperature: Room temperature water usually works well, although colder water may rejuvenate a plant and warmer water can help unopened bulbs bloom faster.
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Want unique flowers for a casual display or special occasion? Ode à la Rose provides an array of chic and modern florals. If you’d like help choosing the perfect options, reach out to us today.
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