How and why do additives such as lime, sugar, and listerine, help cut flowers last longer in water?

I have been researching the effects of various "household" methods of preserving cut carnations. Some of the more successful additives have included:

lime

sugar

listerine

Does anyone know why these would help cut flowers last longer in water?

Thankyou for any suggestions

How and why do additives such as lime, sugar, and listerine, help cut flowers last longer in water?
sugar will provide some food for the flowers; the lime and listerine will inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi which cause the flowers to rot. this will then prolong their life.



you could also use a drop of bleach in a vase of water, or a copper coin in the vase - both will inhibit fungal/bacterial growth. whatever you use, don't use too much or you may actually poison the plants and they'll die even faster.
Reply:u know u posted excellent question

let me tell u

2 reasons y they last for loner time

1 the above ans is right

2 the sugar or lime dont allow the microbes

u know just check under the microsope once

u take normal vase water guess what

u can find a mini ecosystem with rotifers protozoans

bacteria fungi

so these constantly pest on the flower base parts eventually lettting them to degrade
Reply:Don't know about the listerine but the lime and sugar provide essential sugars the plants require for survival (they can continue to produce their own food for longer).

music player