Not many people understand, or even know, what a fresh cut flower food is. But if you ever receive a flower bouquet and you want to make it last longer, you should include flower food into the care. Its main function is to make sure that your flowers will bloom and stay fresh longer. But be careful as overdoing your flower, or underdosing it, can actually damage the flowers.
What Is Fresh Cut Flower Food?
When you get a flower bouquet, it’s pretty common to get a little packet within the package. That’s the flower food, containing bleach, citric acid, and sugar combo. Different brands or manufacturers may have different ingredients for the food, but it generally consists of sugar (the majority of it), a tad bleach, and a little of citric acid. Each one has its own function and usage.
The bleach, for instance, is basically a biocide that can fight off fungi and bacteria. When sugar and flowers are mixed up in water, they lead to the formation of bacteria and fungi. So, the bleach is supposed to prevent the water from being muddy, cloudy, and thick, helping the flowers to have constant drinking easily.
Citric acid is responsible for balancing out the water’s pH level. Thanks to it, the possibility for the flowers to wilt fast will be reduced. Plus, they can drink faster. What about the sugar? Well, flowers generally generate sugar during growth. When they are harvested or picked, the process stops. That’s why adding sugar into the water can help the flower to continue their growth process.
Careful Usage of the Flower Food
As it was mentioned before, too much or not enough food can harm the flowers. You want to make sure that you provide only the right amount of food. There are steps to do for your flower bouquet to remain healthy and fresh for a longer time.
- Pick a clean vase, but always sterilize it. It would be best if you
can use bleach to clean it. - Take the flowers, and cut the bottom side of their stems. Do it at a
45 degree angle. It allows the flower to feed well while unblocking
them at the same time. - If there are leaves sitting under the water line, remove them. They
have no functions and they will end up creating bacteria in the end. - Use around 3.5 grams of food to half a liter of water. Don’t forget
to check the directions on the package. Follow them carefully. - When the water starts to get murky or cloudy, change it.
- Keep your flowers in a shady and cool place. Make sure that they stay
out of the direct sun. You should always keep them away from direct
heaters or AC.
Making Your Own Flower Food
In case your bouquet arrives without the food packet, no need to fret. You can always make your own homemade version. Simply mix up 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, a tablespoon of bleach, and a tablespoon of sugar in an empty vase. Then add warm (tap) water up about a quart of it. You can prolong your flower cycle and you don’t even need to buy anything!
Bottom Line
Overdosing the food is like overeating. But not giving the flower enough food will also cause them to ‘starve’. By knowing the right dosage of fresh cut flower food and how to do it right, you can have longer enjoyment for your beautiful flower bouquet.