What’s In That White Stuff That Keeps Flowers Fresh?

I never put that powdery stuff that comes with fresh flowers in vases with my cut flowers. I’m not sure why, but I think it seems kind of chemicalish.

I’ve put a packet in once before and I sort of covered my nose and mouth and stepped aside until the initial puff of powder had settled, thinking I might be exposing myself to some powdery form of cyanide or arsenic.

I finally tried it again with the roses we bought for my son on the opening night of his most recent play. I put a packet in with them and—look at them—two and a half weeks later.

So what’s the magical chemical ingredients of the longevity potion powder?

Well, it’s sugar, mostly. Sugar. The sugar acts like food for the flowers. There is something to stop the growth of bacteria, and something to change the ph making it more acid, such as citric acid.

That’s all it is.

Tip: A 5oz. packet is enough for a pint of water. Most vases hold a quart. If you make the solution too weak, you may end up feeding the bacteria and therefore causing it to grow. oopsie.

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Comments

[Ann Flowers]

I bet they smell as wonderful as they are beautiful!Great photoing! Keep on posting :)

[flower Philippine]

Gorgeous flower! Wish someone also send me like that. Thanks for sharing.

-pia-

[chigiy]

Ann,
Thank you for visiting.