From John Crofts
Cut flowers droop because of bacteria which clog their vessels
(3 November, p 59).
Adding a mild sterilising agent containing aspirin or common bleach, if
heavily diluted, can help. A very effective solution that lasts a long time is
25 parts per million silver nitrate plus a buffer of 75 parts per million citric
acid.
The addition of sugar to a preservative mixture in amounts varying from 2 per
cent to as much as 8 per cent will help to open buds, and sometimes prolong the
life of flowers.
See
www.umass.edu/umext/programs/agro/floriculture/floral_facts/presvcut.htm
for a useful account.
Sherwood, Nottingham
