How to Make Flower Perservative

Flower preservative is that little sachet of white powder that comes attached to many store brought bouquets, but what should you do if your flowers don't come with any preservative or your florist forgets to give you some? Try this simple recipe to keep your blooms lasting longer?

Homemade Flower Preservative
1 teaspoon of sugar
1 teaspoon of household bleach
2 teaspoons of lemon juice

Dissolve all the ingredients in one quart of warm water.  If your arrangement needs more water then double the ingredient quantities and the the amount of water.

How does this work?  Each ingredient has a specific job to keep the flowers lasting longer.  Sugar provides the nutrition the flowers would normally get from the soil via the roots, bleach ensures the water remains clean and the lemon juice keeps the solution acidic which helps with the uptake of water. 

Don't forget to change the water every few days and mist occasionally.

Let me know in the comments below if you have any other tips for extending the life of your cut flowers.