Flowers are one of the brightest ways to send a message to someone, be it through the 10 sunflowers for $10 on Main Street or the $5 flowers in Walmart. They can tell a person “I love you,” “I’m sorry” or “Thanks for being my roommate.”
Well, maybe not always the last one, but they are a fun gift to give and to get! Here are some tips and tricks for making the most of your fresh blossoms.
1. A flowery cocktail
To keep those gorgeous flowers perky and pleasant, make sure to cater to their dietary needs. When filling your vase, slip in one teaspoon of sugar and one teaspoon of vinegar. The sugar will nourish your plants and the vinegar will eliminate bacteria from the water.
2. Ballooning thanks
When carrying your bundle of buds home from the florist, bring a leftover deflated balloon from that awesome birthday party you had last weekend. Pour a bit of water in and stretch it around the ends of the stems. This will ensure your flowers stay healthy until you reach home.
3. Plug that hole before we sink!
Your flowers won’t sink – per say – but their heads will droop without proper hydration. For hollow stemmed flowers like daffodils and gerberas, fill the stems with water first, and then plug the bottoms with part of a cotton ball. It allows the flowers to soak up more water, leaving them refreshed and healthy.
4. Baubles and bulbs
Have an extra hair tie? Use that band, preferably clear, to stretch once around the stems of your flowers in the vase. They will fall more gracefully and not bunch together, or slide to an uneven height.
5. Quick, someone call 911!
We have an emergency – someone cut their stems too short! Don’t worry; this very common mistake is fixable. Clear plastic straws are perfect for adding length to stems that have been over- trimmed. Just place the flower inside, and trim the straw to your desired length.
6. The No. 1 solution recommended by dentists!
Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you to mix toothpaste into the water. If most of you, as broke college kids like me, don’t actually own a flower vase, or didn’t waste space bringing one up to school, run over to Walmart or Wegmans and buy a toothbrush holder. The cup and its lid with holes are perfect for holding a small bouquet and the water! Two flowers, one stone.