Make your Valentine's posies last

There are some tricks of the trade to help make flowers last. Especially this Valentine's Day, if you receive flowers as a gesture of love or friendship, it would be nice to help the pretty posies stay around longer.

• Use great hardware - Using a clean vase is important in order to eliminate bacteria or fungi which can harm flowers

• Remove lower leaves from the stems of your flowers so they are not submerged in vase water.

• Recut flowers under water using a stem cutter or scissors (this is to make sure no air gets in the stems)
• A recipe for plant "food":
  • Mix one part LEMON LIME soda with three parts water (do not use diet sodas or colas -- too much acid and sugar). Add 1/4 tsp of household bleach per quart of mixture to keep solution clear