How do you keep your flower vases from smelling?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I like to keep cut flowers in the house. Some of the time, the water and vase smell so bad after a couple days, I have to throw out the flowers before they are dead. Should I be changing the water every day? </p>

<p>I know some people can keep bouquets fresh for much longer than I can. So, what’s the secret?</p>

2

<p>I generally change the water every day, and cut a little off of each stem. A drop or two of bleach will help.</p>

3

<p>^that’s the answer. Also, strip off the leaves on the part of the stem that is in the water…</p>

4

<p>A few drops of Chanel 5.</p>

5

<p>The biggest thing I do is as in post #3: strip off ALL leaves that will be below the water-line of stems. Also, some flowers smell worse than others after a while…I find that chrysanthemums (all kinds) get “stanky” almost invariably.</p>

6

<p>Also, if you change the water often, you don’t need more than 2-3 inches of water.</p>

7

<p>ALSO, be sure to wash your vases VERY well between arrangements. Like in the dishwasher if possible.</p>

8

<p>change the water every day…wash off the flowers before you put them back in the vase, and wash out the vase. Remove any wilted or sad looking flowers.</p>

<p>I only need to do this in the summer…when it’s hot. I find it’s not as big an issue in the winter.</p>

9

<p>No black elder. No chrysanthemums. Leaves off below water line. Change water regularly. Add mint stems to the bouquet.</p>

<p>If you have access to a microscope, try leaving the flowers in the water until the water is really murky and disgusting, then put a few drops under the microscope. It’s amazing how many protozoans you’ll see. (Yes, I have my own microscope. Yes, I’m a geek.)</p>

10

<p>Thanks! </p>

<p>Nuts, I had the opportunity to buy a dissecting scope years ago when the high school upgraded. I regretted not buying one at that time, and you’ve just refreshed that memory… </p>

<p>(I used to like looking at microscopic marine life when I lived near the ocean. Good times!)</p>

11

<p>Karen… try Ebay, they’re surprisingly cheap ;-)</p>

12

<p>oh, man. Now I want a microscope!</p>

13

<p>Hadn’t thought of Ebay. Good tip.</p>

<p>I loved looking at plankton… it was amazing to see all the juvenile invertebrates swimming around.</p>