Fresh flowers last 'several weeks' longer when using expert's 12p method
If you love the look for fresh flowers in your home, try this simple and affordable hack to get them to last longer.
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Flowers are a great option to decorate any space, but sometimes they start to wilt and lose their freshness after just a few days.
That’s why an expert has shared her top tip to get them to last weeks longer without breaking the bank.
Flower expert Elise Harlock has unveiled a kitchen cupboard essential that can "significantly" extend the vibrancy of your beloved blooms.
"Using apple slices in the water of your vase can help cut flowers last longer," suggested the expert from Prestige Flowers.
"The natural sugars and acids in the apple provide nutrients to the flowers, helping to keep them fresh for up to several weeks."
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She added: "Begin by slicing a fresh apple into thin wedges. Then, place the slices at the bottom of a clean vase filled with room temperature water."
Elise explained that the apple slices serve as a natural source of nourishment for the flowers, supplying vital nutrients that they would otherwise lack once severed from their roots.
The pro added to the Mirror: "Finally, arrange your cut flowers as usual, ensuring their stems are submerged in the water alongside the apple slices."
This simple method is particularly effective with flowers that have woody stems, such as roses, hydrangeas, and lilacs.
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"These types of flowers benefit from the nutrients provided by the apple slices, helping them to stay hydrated and vibrant for an extended period," she pointed out.
The effectivity of this trick is linked to the apple's ability to release ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone that promotes ripening.
In this scenario, the ethylene gas emitted by the apple slices can assist in prolonging the wilting process in cut flowers, ensuring they retain their freshness and vitality for an extended period compared to usual.
Elise stressed the importance of periodically replacing both the water and apple slices to uphold the flowers' optimal freshness.
