To Make Flowers Last

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 March 1914, Page 4

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 possible. Most people, will nowadays take the trouble to keep the blooms supplied with fresh water, and also cut the stalks afresh every day. Apart from these precautions, there are certain plans which may be adopted in order to lengthen the life of the flower. A few of these will probably be of interest to readers. Certain simple chemicals dissolved in the water in which the the flowers are placed will very much help to maintain the blossom in good condition. Carbonate of soda is extremely helpful in this respect, and about a teaspoonful should be allowed to each pint of water used. This is a very scientific treatment, for the soda has a marked effect on the cells of the stalk, in that the chemical encourages a very free absorption of moisture. Camphor and salt have a similar, though we must always take care to maket he solution a weak one. In the case of flowers which are really dropping badly, a more drastic plan must be followed. Often enough one receives a box of blossoms through the post, lovely flowers perhaps, but all in a wilted condition. , If they have any life in them at all the following plan may be adopted with confidence. Get a bowl of boiling water, and, as soon as it has actually ceased swimming, plunge the stalks of the flowers into it. Now remove the whole thing to a cool, 'dark, cupboard and leave the flowers until the water is cold By thio 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 case of flowers which are really old, a revival may often be brought about if 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 i,n week o 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 be 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 which may be handy. Tumblers or glass jam jars may be used according to the size of the blossoms. The whole arrangement should be kept in a light position, though nothing in the way of direct sunshine must be permitted to fall on the glass covers. If there is any sign of mould on the sand a few drops of carbolic acid should be put on to a piece of cotton-wool and this should be slipped under the glass The mould will disappear as if by magic. Treated in this way, flowers will be in a fresh condition for weeks, and most people will be surprised at the success of the plan. [Care should be taken to examine the flowers every few days, as all decayed portions should be at once removed. A simple way of keeping flowers is that of just putting them into well-fitting biscuit tins. Here the blossoms should be in just as they are, without any sprinklings of water. Although they will not keep so long in this way as they would under the glass treatment nearly all kinds will be fresh after having been in the tin for a week.