Stop using bleach on white roses at the last minute

I was scrambling for a wedding order last Saturday and figured a drop of bleach in the vase water would perk up some browning petals I saw. It worked for about two hours, then the edges went crispy and the stems turned mushy. Lost 3 dozen roses at $4.50 a stem because of it. Has anyone found a better short term trick for reviving whites without ruining the flower?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylor.brooke15d ago

Ngl, try a drop of white vinegar in the water instead, it cleans stems without killing them.

noahwood15d ago

Two weeks ago I would've laughed at that, but I tried it on my grocery store tulips and they lasted a solid four days longer than usual.

taylor_wells14d ago

Learned that one the hard way too, at least you didn't try it on a bridal bouquet mid-ceremony.