The Importance of Sterilization in Extending the Life of Fresh Cut Flowers

Additives for cut flowers are substances added to water, intended to extend the viability of the flowers. Once flowers are removed from the plant they continue to grow slowly, but have a diminished capability of receiving the nutrients that are vital for their survival.

There are different techniques of ensuring that fresh cut flowers remain alive for the longest amount of time.

According to James C. Schmidt, a horticulturist at the University of Illinois, originally putting cut flowers in a sterilized vase is important to extending the life of the flowers. Vases can be cleaned using a household dish detergent or a combination of water and bleach. Using these disinfectants ensures that there will not be any bacteria growing within the vase that could potentially cause the plant to wilt and die at a faster rate. Schmidt also claims that cutting the flowers diagonally with a sharp knife under running water ensures that they can immediately take up fresh and clean water. Re-cutting the stems periodically will ensure that there is a fresh surface from which the stems can take up water. This will allow the flowers to last even longer.


Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Additives_for_cut_flowers

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