FLORGARD

Tip 1: Always use a sparkling clean vase that has been washed in hot, soapy water and rinsed well. This will help remove any microorganisms. Those microorganisms equal slimy water and dead flowers.

 

Tip 2: Flowers take in more water than you might think. Look carefully at the hydrangeas below and you’ll notice that in a little over 24 hours they drew in 3/4 of the vase water.

 

Tip 3: In addition to the food, adding a tiny amount of bleach to the water 1/4 tsp. per quart of water, will also help keep the water clean and clear and prevent harmful microorganisms from taking over. But please don’t use too much or you’ll damage the flower you’re trying so hard to preserve!

 

Tip 4: Flowers will keep longer if the leaves below the water are removed. Decaying vegetable matter poisons the water.

 

Tip 5: A good treatment for sick plants: Put several empty eggshells into a milk bottle filled with water and let stand for a day. Then water the plants with this mixture.

 

Tip 6:To revive “sick” ferns, water them with 1/2 teacup of salt added to six pints of lukewarm water. If infested with worms, stick matches into the soil, sulfur end down. For an ordinary sized plant, use four matches–six for a large pot. The sulfur does the trick.

 

Tip 7: Use Dishwater: After washing dishes in the sink, use the dishwater on houseplants (make sure it’s not too warm). Spray or gently pour the soapy water over the plants and bugs won’t be too happy about it. If using a regular sized spray bottle, you can add another tsp of liquid dish detergent if a stronger soap solution is needed. Don’t do this more than once a week.

 

Tip 8 : Ice water should never be used on house plants as it checks their growth. Add enough hot water to the cold to make it tepid before putting on the plants.