Is Cleanliness next to Godliness?
When it comes to vases, YES! If your vase isn't clean enough you wouldn't mind drinking out of it, it isn't clean enough for your flowers-- unless they're silk! How do you get your vase that clean?
First, don't let flower stems stand in water past the life of the flower head. The longer they degrade in water, the more bacteria and gunk accumulates. This just makes more work for you later. Depending on what the vase is made of and how big the opening is, many may be cleaned in your dishwasher. Inspect the vase after the run-- if you can see a white or grey film on the inside, it still isn't clean enough.
Our preferred method of cleaning is BLEACH. A generous amount of bleach and hot water up to the opening of your vase will remove a multitude of bacteria, and it only takes about 20 minutes. Then follow that up with a thorough rinse. Voila! Your vase is just like brand new. And that's healthier for any kind of flower.
Why is this important? Flowers have tiny vascular systems. When the vascular system gets clogged with bacteria, it radically impacts water uptake (the flower can't drink). When they run out of water, they die. For the life of your flowers, and your own pleasure, the cleaner the vase, the longer you can enjoy your spring favorites.
Bulbs, lilies, anemones, blooming branches-- it's a whole wide world of blooming product right now. So take a moment, make sure your vase is spotless, and then welcome spring with a bright bouquet.
Keep blooming, everybody.
posted by: Ladyg (reply)
post date: 02.22.09 (2:22 pm)
Good info, still Blooming.
posted by: auntconi (reply)
post date: 02.22.09 (2:58 pm)
I always make sure my vases are clean before adding flowers. It is amazing how many people do not heed to that. The info is very helpful.
((hugs))
posted by: barnabus1 (reply)
post date: 02.22.09 (4:04 pm)
The only flower I have in my house is the lilacs in the spring, and I never paid any attention to the vase...never even cleaned it...now I can make em last longer!!...Thanks!!!
posted by: tampi (reply)
post date: 02.25.09 (6:55 pm)
i am not into flowers but do admire them .knowledge is power . and i do tell my friends about you.
keep blooming as they say
posted by: alaskawildflowers (reply)
post date: 02.26.09 (9:38 am)
Thank you, Tampi, for spreading the word. One doesn't have to have flowers IN the house to appreciate them; however, where I live, it certainly extends the viewing season if they're in the house :)
posted by: surrogate (reply)
post date: 02.27.09 (4:14 pm)
I need advice on some new house plants... Do you do plants? I'm often gone for a week to ten days at a time... What can survive easily for those sorts of unattended interludes?
posted by: pretensions (reply)
post date: 03.03.09 (6:28 am)
Usually try to clean my vases for aesthetic reasons - good to know it helps the plants live longer too!
posted by: auntconi (reply)
post date: 03.06.09 (1:07 pm)
I have the same concern as surrogate about plants living a while when one is away from home. I travel back to visit family on the other side of the state and am often gone for a week or ten days. Any advice?
posted by: auntconi (reply)
post date: 03.06.09 (1:07 pm)
I do have a peace lily, but wonder about getting some newer plants.
posted by: alaskawildflowers (reply)
post date: 03.06.09 (2:09 pm)
Sorry, I shoulda posted my reply to surrogate publicly-- I was just embarrassed that it took so long to respond. His question got caught in the middle of all the spam comments and I missed it.
Here, then, is my best advice: Buy your plants from a knowledgeable seller-- a florist or greenhouse. Most of the big box stores and grocery stores do not have the time it takes to devote to training of staff, who have many other jobs besides watering the plants. Read the care tag carefully, and choose the plants that can get dry between waterings-- plants like azaleas that need to stay moist are not the best choice. You may need to scout rooms in your house and move them to the appropriate spot when you leave town-- you want a place that has consistent light, and temperature. For long trips, a room on the cool side is best. COOL, not cold. Most plants consider 50 degrees to be the dead of winter-- 60 degrees is ideal. The cooler it is, or the less light you have, the less water will be needed. You may need to water differently in the summer than in the winter, depending where you are in the country. That's why checking with a knowledgeable person in your area is best-- I can pontificate on care in MY part of the country, but it may not do you any good :-)
Sometimes you do your best, and the plant still expires. Don't beat yourself up-- the growers mostly consider plants, especially the blooming ones, to be disposable. If you have a compost heap, say your prayers and consign them back to the earth. If you don't compost, you can re-use the dirt IF it died because of lack of water-- if it died because the plant had a pest, throw it in the rubbish.
Hope this helps, keep me posted :-)
posted by: auntconi (reply)
post date: 03.06.09 (5:50 pm)
Thanks for the info ~ my peace lily is one my mom had for many years and it is still going strong. However, one time I returned from a four day trip and found it limp as could be, but I watered it and it came right back ~ I was so thankful that it revived. I have had it in my home now for two years.