DETERMINING THE

EFFECTIVENESS OF SUGAR AS

PRESERVATIVES FOR FLOWERS

To investigate the relationship between amount of sugar with condition of the flowers.

AIM

Manipulated variables: Amount of sugar

Responding Variables: Condition of the flowers

Keep The Same: Size of vases and amount of vinegar used in every vase

VARIABLES

The objective of this science fair project is to determine the effectiveness of using sugar to preserve and keep the flowers fresh for longer periods of time. The experiment will be carried out using flowers such as the rose, carnations and lilies, and water containing different amounts of sugar.

HYPOTHESIS

Flowers that are in contact with a more concentrated sugar solution will be able to last longer.

HYPOTHESIS

"Beautiful" and "sweet-smelling" are two common terms that

describe fresh flowers, and explains why so many of us like to place

flowers in our homes. Having flowers in our homes adds color and a

soft touch. In addition, the presence and scent of flowers gives us a

psychological boost making us feel happier and livelier. Flowers

certainly do help brighten up our day. However, fresh cut flowers do

not last long as they typically wilt after a few days. 

There are a few ways to help flowers stay fresh for longer periods of

time, once they are cut. One method is to cut the stem of the flower

at an angle with a sharp knife and immediately placing the cut

flower in lukewarm water. Cutting a flower stalk at an angle exposes

more of the stem, allowing for a larger surface area to come in

contact with water. Leaves that are under water should be removed.

Interestingly, the removal of rose thorns will hasten the wilting

process of roses.

Another commonly used method is to add sugar and vinegar to

water. Sugar is thought to provide the nutrition required by the

flower, while a few drops of vinegar helps prevent bacteria from

contaminating and reproducing in the sweetened water. 

Commercially made flower food is also effective in keeping flowers

fresh and last longer. Other methods such as adding an aspirin or

bleach are also believed to help keep flowers fresh longer. 

OVERVIEW

Materials required for this science fair project:

-    12 vases of equal size-    4 rose stalks-    4 carnation stalks-    4 lily stalks-    1 large bottle of distilled water-    1 scissors-    1 packet of sugar-    1 teaspoon-    1 bottle of vinegar

MATERIALS

PROCEDURE

DISTILLED WATER SCISSORS SUGAR

VINEGAR FLOWER VASE LILY

CARNATION ROSES

1.    The independent variable in this science fair project is the

species of flower (rose, carnation or lily) and the amount of sugar

added to the water (none, 1 teaspoon, 2 teaspoons or 3 teaspoons).

The dependent variable is the number of days the flowers will

remain fresh. This is determined by observing the flowers every day

for signs of wilting. The constants (control variables) are the size of

the vase, the amount of distilled water in the vase and the room

temperature. 

2.    Cut the stems of the roses, carnations and Lilies in a slanted

angle using the scissors provided. Fill the 12 vases with equal

amounts of distilled water. Label three vases each  as 0, 1, 2 and 3.

The three sets of vases correspond to the three species of flowers.

3.    Place one stalk of each type of flower inside the vases labeled

as 0, 1, 2 and 3. Add one teaspoon of sugar to the vases labeled 1,

two teaspoons of sugar into the vases labeled 2, and 3 teaspoons of

sugar into the vases labeled 3. Do not add sugar into the vase

labeled 0. Add 3 drops of vinegar into all 12 vases.

4.    Observe the 12 vases daily and note the number of days during

which the flowers remained fresh. Record the results in a table.

PROCEDURE

It was observed that adding sugar to water will help the flowers last

longer. However, the optimum sugar concentration differed for the

three species of flowers. 

The Lilies were able to stay fresh for the longest number of days

when the amount of sugar added was increased to three teaspoons

– the optimal sugar concentration level may not have been reached

yet. However, roses and carnations have a shorter lifespan when

the sugar concentrations were high. These two species wilted after

almost the same number of days when two or three teaspoons of

sugar were added. Hence, it can be concluded that the optimum

amount of sugar that roses and carnations can tolerate is two

teaspoons of sugar – any amounts higher than that has no effect on

prolonging the lifespan of roses and carnations. 

OBSERVATION

Species of

flower

Number of days that the flowers stayed fresh corresponding to

the amount of sugar added

No sugar 1 teaspoon 2 teaspoons 3 teaspoons

Rose 2 3 4 4

Carnation 3 4 5 5

Lily 5 6 7 8

CONCLUSION

The experimental results are in accordance with the hypothesis that fresh-cut flowers are able to last longer when placed in solutions of sugar of higher concentration - but only up to a certain optimum level. 

Besides adding nutrition (eg. sugar/flower food) to the water, the flowers should be kept in a cool place away from fruits. The water should also be changed every two days to prevent bacteria buildup.

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

How to keep flowers fresh with sugar -

http://www.ehow.com/how_2221784_keep-flowers-fresh-sugar.html 

How to preserve fresh flowers -

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/82944_how-to-preserve-fresh-

flowers 

How to care of freshly cut flowers -

http://www.mamashealth.com/garden/cutflowers.asp 

REFERENCES

Floriculture Item Sales at All Retail Outlets

2012           $34.3 billion

2011           $32.1 billion

2010           $30.5 billion

2009           $29.6 billion

2008           $33.0 billion

2007           $34.6 billion

2006           $33.7 billion

2005           $31.1 billion

2004           $29.4 billion

2003           $28.2 billion

2002           $27.7 billion

2001           $26.7 billion

2000           $25.3 billion

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, May 2012

FLOWER INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Industry Segments

Retail florist shops (2010, latest available): 16,182

Estimated annual florist sales (2009): $320,000

Floral Wholesalers: 530

Domestic Floriculture Growers (in top 15 states): 5,763

Fresh Flower Growers: 293

Potted Flowering Plant Growers: 1,058

Foliage: 775

Bedding/Garden Plants: 1,564

Fresh Greens: 149

Potted Herbaceous Perennials Plants: 1,264

Where Flowers Come From (2010)

Imports account for 71% of fresh flowers sold by dollar volume in the United States.

Top 6 Import Countries (by Value)

Colombia 64%

Ecuador 17%

Netherlands 6%

Canada 5%

Mexico 3%

Other 5%

Top 7 Fresh Flower Growing States

California 77%

Washington 6%

Oregon 4%

New Jersey 4%

Hawaii 2%

North Carolina 1%

Florida 1%

Last Updated: November 2012