Did you receive a sympathy flower arrangement? You may be concerned about its longevity during the mourning period. Fortunately, you can help keep your sympathy flowers longer by adding a packet of flower food accompanying the flowers. Don’t have flower food or preservative? Try a simple homemade solution with a little sugar and lemon juice instead.
Sugar
Sugar is often added to the water of cut flowers because it provides energy to the entire flower, allowing it to last longer. Leaves are usually what absorb energy from the sun to create sucrose in a process known as photosynthesis, which is then used by the entire plant to survive. However, cut flowers often have many of their leaves removed (particularly all that sit below the waterline), which is why adding sugar to their water can help. One tablespoon of sugar should be enough.
However, don’t add sugar when watering a potted plant. A plant with its roots and stem intact cannot absorb sugar, unlike cut flowers which have their stem cut open. Avoid adding sugar to the water of cut lilies, as well. Research has shown that this may accelerate yellowing of the leaves.
Lemon Juice
A splash of lemon juice added to the drinking water of your sympathy flower arrangement serves to facilitate water absorption, allowing the cut flowers to obtain sustenance more easily.
If you don’t have lemon juice, whether fresh or not, you can also use some vinegar.
