Results of my blue dycks wildflower experiment
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205721)
Walnut Creek, California
March 30, 2016 1:02pm CST
Thanks to all who responded to my original post about the three wildflowers I picked, and the little experiment I was conducting to see how long they'd last as decorative flowers in a vase. Thanks especially to @mommaj for the suggestion to try bleach to extend their "shelf life."
I did a little research and found out that they're called blue dycks (replace the "y" with an "i"). I don't know anything about the origin of the common name, but the Latin name is Dichelostemma capitatum. They grow in the foothills of Mt. Diablo, and can also be found in the foothills in Yosemite, to the East.
My blue dycks lasted about five days in a shot glass before they started looking tired. After day three, I added a drop of Miracle Gro Quick Start, and they continued to look good for a couple more days.
If I find more, I might pick six or so, and try both a drop of bleach and nothing at all, to see how long they last in those conditions. I finally bid these adieu after a week on my balcony.
I'll attach a photo of the flowers after three days. It looks like the tallest one actually "grew," but that just might be the wind shifting its position in the shot glass.
24 people like this
20 responses
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
30 Mar 16
they are very pretty but I can't imagine they would last any longer or shorter than any other cut flower.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205721)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Mar 16
Makes sense. I just wanted to see for myself. I may try a similar experiment with Indian Paintbrush. They seem to be drought-resistant. Would that affect how long they live once "yanked"? Or maybe they wouldn't like being stuck in a vase full of water. I might just leave a "control group" lying there in the sun. Heck, I might even stick some in some dirt, and see if they think they still have roots.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
30 Mar 16
I have not seen any like those, suppose that they do not grow in my neck of the woods. Some people say to do lemon lime soda in your water for flowers.
2 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
30 Mar 16
I have to ask if you found any particular cut to the stem seemed to help make them last longer? My aunt owned a floral shop when I was a teenager. I loved being in there with the smell of the flowers. I helped design the arrangements. Thanks for the mention, but I didn't really do anything. Good luck on your next experiment.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
30 Mar 16
they're beautiful! i fear i'd be waitin' fer 'em to go to seed'n the wild 'n seein' if'n i could grow my own patch'f 'em. i don't use bleach myself, but hydrogen peroxide. jest takes a few drops added to the water - both help prohibit mold/fungus.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
16 Apr 16
@TheHorse yer welcome :) the aspirin adds a bit'f acidity to the water, makin 'it more akin to the plants natural growin' environment. ya still need somethin' to help prevent the mold/fungus 'n keep 'em fresh's long's possible.
@AnneEJ (4917)
• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec
30 Mar 16
Beautiful flowers. I am anxiously awaiting the time when I can go for a walk and find some wild flowers. There's a place along the bike path where there are lots of purple violets, and last year I picked a lot and brought them home.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (51523)
• Philippines
31 Mar 16
I did this experiment with the welcome plant, not only they lasted long but they started growing roots.Didn't end well with the sansavieria or snake plant though.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48937)
• United States
31 Mar 16
I have never heard of using bleach for that before.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Mar 16
Pretty flowers. I would've thought bleach would be bad for them. Who knew?
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
7 Apr 16
They look very good to be three days from being picked. I love to pick wild flowers when we are out and about.
@TheHorse (205721)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Mar 16
Yes, it's fun trying to figure out the names of the wildflowers we see. Indian Paintbrush I recognized from Montana. But Indian Warrior I learned about only a year or two ago. I recognize shooting stars now too. I never remember the Latin names.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
2 Sep 16
I'm just reading some of your posts that I missed out on before, pony. I hope you don't mind.
How did your experiments turn out, or did you actually do them?
Uhm... you might like to read these tips from a professional to her friend:
Design Mom The Intersection of Design & Motherhood March 6, 2013 Text and images by Lindsey Johnson for Design Mom. Nothing brightens a room quite like a vase of fresh flowers. Also, nothing smells quite as nice (with the exception of a few flowers maybe —
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
31 Mar 16
I haven't tried anything to extend cut flowers lives, but your experiment is interesting. Lovely blooms.
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Apr 16
They're still pretty. Sugar helps some flowers last longer and dissolving an aspirin in the water is supposed to help too.