Keeping flowers fresh after Valentine’s Day

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or a meteorologist to figure out that here in central Maine we are in the middle of deep winter.

Yesterday was cold enough for everyone and more arctic weather is in store. The seed catalogs are being spread out on kitchen and coffee tables across our region, helping us to plan our vegetable and flower gardens for the spring. The ordering process warms us up a little and is another good example of hope over experience.

Fortunately there is a traditional holiday on the horizon that should also perk us up to the fact that not only is love in the air, but somewhere on Earth the flowers are blooming. That holiday is Valentine’s Day.

Northeast CONTACT’s mission is to help consumers find value in the marketplace. Stretching out the useful life of a beautiful arrangement of flowers greatly increases its value. Yet often the expensive arrangement will start drooping and heading for the trash can much earlier than necessary unless proper care is taken. Here are a few tips that will help prolong the beauty and joy that flowers can bring. This list is far from complete. We would love to hear from the public and the professionals about other secrets that work for them:

. Water is important. Changing the water every day or every other day will extend its life. Remove any leaf under water as the leaves breed germs, which will shorten life by clogging water uptake of the stems. Room-temperature water is best.

. Cut an inch or two off the bottom of each stem so that the water can be used by the flower. Some recommend doing this each time the water is changed. The arrangement keeps getting shorter, but the flowers are fresh longer. Use a sharp knife or scissors, as crushing the stem prevents water from being used by the flower. Cut at a 45-degree angle to increase surface area. Some professionals cut the stems under water to prevent air from sealing over the end of the stem. This is particularly true of roses.

. That little packet that comes with the arrangement does work, even though it looks like an illegal substance found in a drug bust. If you run out of this product as you are busy changing the water, you can make your own. Professional packets include chemicals to slow the growth of bacteria and sugar to stimulate the plant. Take a gallon of water and add a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of bleach. Adding a Sprite or similar soda (not the diet stuff) to a half gallon of water can also extend the life of your arrangement. The sugar feeds the flower; the acid controls the bacterial growth.

. Don’t put the flowers in your refrigerator or near fruit. Fruits give off ethylene gas, which speeds the demise of that expensive arrangement.

. Heat is not good for your arrangement. Keep it away from the heat source, wood stove mantel, or on top of the television. Also keep the flowers away from that sunny window.

. Mixing daffodils (the author’s personal favorite) and tulips is a bad idea. Who knew that daffodil sap is reported to be toxic to tulips?

A Valentine’s Day arrangement can bring joy to the eyes and face of that special someone, as well to all who have the opportunity to observe it. For a day, Old Man Winter is forgotten.

Yes, flowers are more expensive on Feb. 14 than at any other time of the year. Demand is high and supply is limited, just one of the dynamics of any economy. Don’t spend until it hurts, but only until if it feels good. Support your local neighborhood florist and plan your order well in advance. When you see that gleam in your loved one’s eyes, the positive possibilities become endless.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration, now in its 30th year, of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual and business memberships are available at modest rates. Interested and motivated prospective volunteers are always needed and welcomed to apply to help with our mission. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for information, write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.