MAKE THIS THE WEEK YOU...

MAKE YOUR FLOWERS LAST

RINSE WITH RICE

VASES used regularly can harbour bacteria and limescale from previous bunches that will spoil bouquets in a flash.

If your vase is too narrow for your hand, after soaking, add a handful of rice to soapy water and shake.

JUST ADD VIAGRA!

IF YOUR bouquet doesn’t come with a sachet of flower food, make your own. Add a splash of lemonade (not the diet version) and a teaspoon of bleach to the water.

The combination of citric acid, sugar and bleach will keep flowers looking perky for longer.

Alternatively, a milligram of Viagra (a tablet is 50 mg so just add the tiniest amount) in water will double the life of cut flowers. It contains nitric oxide which, scientists say, slows down plant wilting!

TRIMMING TRICKS

TRIM flower and foliage stems at an angle every three days to maximise water uptake. Make a small vertical cut to the bottom of woody stems, as they need extra hydration.

A LITTLE HAIRSPRAY

SOME florists spray delicate flowers with hairspray to keep petals looking perky. Hold your bunch upside down and spritz the undersides of petals only.

FRUIT-FREE ZONE

DON’T place your vase near your fruit bowl. Ripening fruit gives off ethylene gas, causing flowers to wilt.