Extending life of cut flowers

Last night my dd's boyfriend delivered a balloon and a bouquet of fresh flowers to her dorm room. She didn't go back to school until this a.m. The flowers were sitting overnight without water (you would have thought the dingy roommate could have put them in water). Anyway, any suggestions how to extend the life of these flowers? She did cut the bottoms off and put in a vase of water.

NJ,put a penny in the vase and change the water daily and mist' Keep away from any heat sources,like warm kitchen,near heaters etc. Sis' Oh, some also add a little sugar to the water'

This message was edited Monday, Oct 29th 11:01 AM

Sis - thanks so much for the suggestions!

add alittle Vodka in the water

Also can add some hydrogen peroxide,if there's no penny or vodka,lol' A touch of bleach works too'

This message was edited Monday, Oct 29th 3:53 PM

I'm sure dd has some hydrogen peroxide. I don't think I will giver her any vodka for her flowers. (Dorm rules frown upon parents providing alchohol to minors). And she probably would claim she has no penny to spare - you know those college kids - always broke and needing more $$ from home.

Jewel, I keep my cut flowers in a mixture of 4parts water, couple drops bleach and 1 part lemon-lime soda(any with citric acid)This is how I keep them fresh for selling at the market.

We use half lemonade half water

somebody told me you can put an asprin in the water to make them last longer. I haven't tried it so I don't know if it works has anybody else heard that?

oops, sorry about the vodka suggestion. Forgot about the dorm rules. Not a good idea then. try club soda & water. I would cut the end of the flowers at an angle first and then place in fresh water and..........? Cut the ends of flowers under running water or have them sitting in a bowl of water, then cut ends; always at an angle

Mystic

I don't know if they will last longer but at least they won't have a head ache!

lol @ baa !!!! I have a friend that says it works for roses but I haven't tried it. lol

Asprin is good for a hang-over on people and flowers as well.

There is acid in asperin - I think that is the secret.