TO MAKE FLOWERS LAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3989, 23 July 1915, Page 7

TO MAKE FLOWERS LAST.

WILL KEEP FRESH FOR WEEKS

When flowers are scarce, .it is important that those which we do secure should be made to last as long as ]K>ssible. Most people will, nowadays, take the trouble to keep the blooms supplied with fresh water, and also cii: the stalks afresh every day. Apart from these precautions, there are c< italn plans which may he adopted in order to lengthen the life of the flower. A few of these will prohab'y be of interest to readers.

Certain simple chemicals dissolved in the water in which the flowers are placed will very much help to maintain the blossom in a good condition. Carbonate of soda is extremely helpful in this respect, and about a teaspoonful should be allowed to each pint ol water used. This is a very scientific treatment, for the soda has marked effect on the cells of the stalk, m that the chemical encourages a very free absorption of moisture. Camphor and salt have a similar effect, though we must always take care to make, the solution a weak one.

In the case of flowers which arc really drooping badly, a more drastic plan must be followed. Often enough one receives a box of blossoms thiougli the post, lovely flowers, perhaps, but all in a wilted condition. If they have any life in them at all the following plan may he adopter! with confidence : -—Get a 'bowl of boiling water, and, as i?oon as it has actually ceased simmering, plunge the stalks of the (lowers into it. Now remove the whole thing to a cool, dark cupboard and leave the flowers until the water is cold. By this time it is more than likely that the blooms will have picked up amazingly. Of course, when ■placing in the vase, the blossoms must be given fresh cold water. In the

ease of flowers which are really old, a revival may often.he brought about 1 the above treatment is followed, with the addition of a small lump of camphor added to the water. Now and again it may be desired to keep flowers for a, long time, A. special event may be coming off, say, in a week or so’s time, and for this it is necessary to keep the blossoms in as fresh a state as possible. The following plan may he adopted with good results: —Get a fair-sized pie-dish and fill this about a third full with sand which has been rendered thoroughly damp. Now stick the stalks of the blooms into the sand and cover the specimens with any glass vessels