1 quart warm water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon bleach

1 quart warm water 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon bleach

1. Use a clean vase that will hold 1 quart water.

2. Fill vase with 1 quart warm water and allow to cool for a few minutes

3. Prepare the water by adding Leon juice, sugar and bleach to feed the flowers and kill bacteria, yeasts, and fungi that feed on sap that seeps from the cut-flower stem and causes wilting.

4. Cut about 1/2 inch off each flower stem at a 45-degree angle.

5. Don't remove all of the leaves from the stems--leaves harness energy from a flower, keeping it livelier longer.

6. Place flowers in the vase, keeping them in a cool location away from fruit or veggies, which will accelerate wilting.

7. To keep flowers perky for an upcoming event, refrigerate your arrangement for up to six hours beforehand.