Do Lemons Make Flower Arrangements Last?

Question

Hi All! 
 I saw this picture on Pinterest accompanied by a caption that said lemon slices make flower arrangements last. Is this true? 
 Thanks! 
 -Alex

Photo Cred: http://b-moviestar.com/tag/flower-arrangement

Miriam Illions · Answer

Ooh - I'd like to know the answer too!

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

I have seen this and have been told that the lemon juice and/or even vinegar helps the flowers bloom. I usually pick up cut flowers and use filtered/bottled water warm and a bit of bleach (probably about a tablespoon) and cut off the ends. do this every other day and you will get the arrangement to last much longer. I have had markdown bouquets from the grocery store last 2 weeks by this method and making sure to pick out any flowers that are spent. Oh and do not let leaves sit in the water.

Alexandra Arena · Answer

Thanks, @The Garden Frog with C Renee

Alexandra Arena · Answer

(My boyfriend is going to be pleased by this answer if it indeed really works! He buys me flowers and they always die! Haha!) @The Garden Frog with C Renee

Sensible Gardening and Living · Answer

Makes sense that the acid in the lemon or vinegar would halt bacteria growth which is what spoils the flowers.

Alexandra Arena · Answer

Yes it does, @Sensible Gardening and Living! :)

Debby Boyle · Answer

I don't know about lemons but, asprin will.

Mary B · Answer

I have tried the bleach and that works, never tried lemon. If you want to see a list of conditioning tips for all kinds of flowers, check out this post from my blog 'Sweetwater Style' http://sweetwaterstyle.blogspot.com/2013/07/cut-flower-conditioning-tips.html

David Perona · Answer

You may not have noticed, but the lemon slices are not IN the stem water. A cylindrical vase has been placed in the center of the pitcher, and the lemons are between the two. I would suspect that the lemons are strictly decorative in this instance as an added flourish to hide the flower stems. It's become very chic to do this with large leaves (think: banana), so this takes it up a notch by using lemon slices. -Very creative! (Side note: as others have noted, I too would suspect that the acid in the lemon juice might prevent early purification if actually placed in the stem water).

Evaniderstine2hotmail.com · Answer

As a Florist who wants to provide my customers with long lasting flowers, I encourage them to clip the stems under water so no air gets into the stem. Then place them in a sterile vase (rinsed with chlorox water or white vinegar). The vase should be prerared ahead of time with warm water and a preservative poweder provided by your florist. This powder is scientifically formulated with a bacteriacide and a specific type of sugar in the correct proportions. Too much of either will be worse for your flowers than none at all.

Judy · Answer

I have heard that adding lemon-lime soda to the water for cut flowers will make them last longer.

Mikell Paulson · Answer

Yes!!
 I use 7 Up in cut flowers and they last a lot longer! 3 tablespoons in a quart of warm water and leaves removed below the water line! Works great!

Gwen · Answer

thank you to the florist about the clean sterile vase using vinegar or bleach. I found my bouquets water looked so murky within hours even though I trimmed the stems under running water daily, made sure no leaves were in the water...with a mixed bouquet I may try the bleach in warm water. Thank you!

Mikell Paulson · Answer

Alexandra, you are most welcome! Hope that you have good luck!

Butch Fertic · Answer

Yes he is right about the vase, However look at that persons thumb it's under water and so is the vase so the lemon water is in side the vase with the flowers.

Do Lemons Make Flower Arrangements Last?

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Do Lemons Make Flower Arrangements Last?

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