Information for Boquete Flower Lovers

[Bob]

I have known for a long time that colloidal silver is good for both cut flowers and potted plants, but just recently I received a long article with information from scientific studies that show strong differences in cut flowers immersed in colloidal silver.  Here is an excerpt from a longer article about this subject.  If you would like me to send you the full article, send an email to usn11958@gmail.com with the subject:  FLOWERS.

 

In 2014, scientists from the Department of Horticulture at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran tested the hypothesis that silver-treated cut flowers in a vase would last up to twice as long as untreated cut flowers in a vase.

What they found was that in the untreated cut flowers, bacteria rapidly formed in the vase water, and quickly colonized the xylem of the flower, which are the tiny micro-tubular channels in the flower stem (similar to veins, in humans) that bring nutrients and moisture to the flowering head itself.

But in the silver-treated flower vases, the bacterial growth was dramatically reduced, and therefore the xylem remained unblocked by bacterial colonization for longer periods of time. This allowed moisture and nutrients to be effectively carried up the stem far longer than in untreated cut flowers. The result was beautiful fresh flowers that lasted up to twice as long as normal.

As explained in this August 21, 2014 press release from Inderscience titled "Cut Flowers Last Longer with Silver Nanotechnology":

"Once cut and dunked in a vase of water, flowers are susceptible to bacterial growth that shortens the length of time one has to enjoy the blooms.

A few silver nanoparticles sprinkled into the water, might be the answer to longer-lasting cut flowers according to research published in the International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation.

Once the stems are cut and flowers added to a vase bacteria start to colonize the open ends of the stems and block the channels through which water enters. This is the main cause of a short-lived display even for the most expensive flowers, such as lilies, roses and freesias.

Many florists provide a small packet of plant food with their bouquets, but this does nothing to prevent the stems becoming blocked with bacteria.

Adding a drop of household bleach is perhaps a useful tip, but not all flower lovers wish to have the odor of bleach in the vase spoiling the scent of their flowers.

Now, a team in the Department of Horticulture at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, have tested silver nanoparticles, which are known to have antibacterial activity, in extending the blooming life of cut lilies (Lilium orientalis cv. 'Shocking').

They used suspensions of silver nanoparticles in water at levels of 5, 15, 25, 30 parts per million (ppm) and compared the floral life against controls with untreated vase water.

Seyed Hossein Nemati and colleagues found that control blooms gave a bright flora display on average for just under a week. Whereas the lower concentrations of silver nanoparticles extended this period by a couple of days.

However, at 35 ppm their blooms were maintained with good color and healthy petals for almost twice as long as the controls (less than 12 days).

Analysis of the stems and water revealed that at this concentration of silver nanoparticles bacterial growth was stymied for the longest period compared with controls where bacterial growth began within the first two days."

[More information: Nemati, S.H., Esfandiyari, B., Tehranifar, A., Rezaei, A. and Ashrafi, S.J. (2014) "Improvement of Vase Life and Post-harvest Factors of Lilium orientalis Bouquet by Silver Nanoparticles," Notulae Scientia Biologicae.]

 

I make and sell colloidal silver in 10-15 ppm concentration and can produce it in 30 or 35 ppm concentration for anyone who wants to keeps some around for use with cut flowers.  Though the cost is significant, it should be possible to save the water and use it two or three times.  Send inquiries to usn11958@gmail.com    Also, you could make a simple rig for making colloidal silver, using some nine-volt batteries.  It would not be good enough for medical use but would work fine for use with flowers.  Contact me if you would like information about this.