Cut Flower Preservative #1 - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups carbonated lemon-lime beverage, such as Sprite, 7-Up
1/2 teaspoon bleach, household
2 cups warm water (tap water is okay but if it is high in salts and fluorides distilled is better)

Preparation

Discard decaying leaves and flowers and any foliage which would be below the water line, plus any unnecessary leaves.
Trim bottom ends of flower stems by cutting on an angle to maximize the surface area for water and to prevent the ends from resting flat on the bottom of the vase.
Mix lemon-lime beverage, bleach, and warm water. Be sure to use warm water (100-110 degrees Fahrenheit or 38-40 Celsius). It will move up the stems more effectively than cold water; add flowers.