The purpose of adding flower food to the vase water of cut flowers is threefold.
Firstly as the flowers have been removed from the growing plant, they can no longer access the food supply of the plant they were growing on provided them. So adding sugar to the water provides the food energy for the flower to expand and remain healthy.
Making sure the water solution is of the correct pH or acidity is important as low pH water (pH=3.5) travels faster in the flower stems, thereby preventing or reducing wilting of the flowers. Adding vinegar to the solution provides us with the correct pH for the flowers.
Thirdly, when we add sugar to the water, that also can provide nutrients for bacteria to grow in the water, which we don't want happening as that makes the water green and smelly. By adding bleach to the water we prevent the growth of bacteria.
When you receive a bouquet of flowers from Flowers 4 Nelson we provide you with a sachet of flower food / preservative which you add to the water in your vase. Every 2nd or 3rd day you should completely change the vase water, with fresh water; and you will need to add flower food / preservative to this. The following recipe will give you the means to make this your self at home.
To make your own flower preservative. (This recipe simulates what the flower food sachets that usually come with bunches of flowers provides.)
To 1 litre of water add
¼ teaspoon bleach ( careful not to splash it on your clothes)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar
stir in a container to dissolve and mix before adding to your vase.