Even though you've heard people talk about adding things like bleach, corn syrup, aspirin, and sugar to the water, we believe tree preservatives and additives are probably unnecessary. Most experts agree that plenty of clean water is all you need to keep a tree fresh.
Fresh water
Be sure to replace the water that is used each day and don't allow the stand to dry out. Do not add sugar, aspirin, bleach or floral preservatives to the water; plain tap water is all that is needed to keep your tree fresh.
But there are some things you can add that won't hurt and might even help your tree last longer. A little lemon juice helps raise the acidity of things, a bit of bleach helps cut the bacteria and a splash of corn syrup gives it something to eat (which allows it to retain its needles).
On its website, a professor warns against adding any extra additives like sugar, aspirin, bleach or floral preservatives to the tree's water. “The keys to keeping the needles on your tree while it is on display in your house can be summarized as: fresh tree, fresh cut, fresh water,” Dr.
Sugar or aspirin does not work to revive a Christmas tree. Neither does bleach, soda or corn syrup, all of which you will hear success stories about. Instead, plain water is the best option for reviving a drooping Christmas tree.
Plain tap water is all you need — the report cautions against adding sugar, aspirin, bleach, floral preservatives or other additives to the water. Some of those additives, like bleach, can actually cause damage to trees and plants.
There's some debate about whether adding any kind of preservative to the water (like sugar, corn syrup, aspirin, or even vodka) can keep a Christmas tree fresher, but experts agree that plain, clean water is best.
Experts now recommend not adding anything to your tree's water supply, whether that be sugar or sugar products such as honey, corn syrup, or 7-Up.
According to nursery experts, a variety of things can help prevent Christmas tree death. One tip incorporates an odd element: sugar. Experts say adding a tablespoon of corn syrup or sugar in the basin water will serve as a food source for the tree. Others recommended adding a little bit of lemon-lime soda like Sprite.
The key to maintaining a fresh Christmas tree is to keep the bottom 2 inches of the trunk immersed in water, even if that means refilling the stand every day. Keep your tree hydrated and reduce needle drop by adding 1 capful of Miracle-Gro® for Christmas Trees for every quart of water added to your tree stand.
2 ounces regular Clorox bleach – Kills bacteria that would inhibit the tree's ability to take up water. 8 ounces light corn syrup (clear) – The sugar feeds the tree glucose, an essential part of a plant's metabolism. 2 pinches of Epsom Salt – Magnesium sulfates make the needles green.
Keep your tree hydrated throughout the holiday season with Miracle-Gro® for Christmas Trees. This unique formula reduces needle drop compared to water only throughout the season.
Use coffee to promote healthy branches
Once you've finished your morning pick-me-up, make sure you save the grounds to add your potted tree. Amending your soil with coffee grounds might seem like a unique technique, but it acts as a source of nitrogen for plants which can contribute to healthy green stems.
Christmas Tree Preservative Recipe 1
Mix together your water, corn syrup, and either vinegar or lemon juice and pour into your tree stand base. This can be made ahead of time and stored in a sealed container in the fridge, it should last 2 weeks.
Water your living Christmas tree every 2-3 days while it is inside. Make sure you have a saucer underneath the pot to protect the floor or furnishings. One of the best ways to water is to simply put a layer of ice cubes on top of the soil of the pot, and let them melt.
There's an old wives tale that putting hot or warm water in the Christmas tree stand makes it last longer. But if you ask the National Christmas Tree Association, that doesn't make a difference.
Urban myths for keeping Christmas trees fuller, longer, are as plentiful during the holidays as bell ringers on street corners.
Most species of Christmas trees can go without water for as long as 6-8 hours after a fresh cut. Just make sure the surface remains clean and the cut end is not damaged by banging it against the ground. Once you get the tree home, keep it in a bucket filled with water and in a cool location until you bring it inside.
The number one effect that most studies have found is that sugar can reduce the plants' ability to absorb or take in any water. It might act as a temporary energy booster, but nothing else will occur afterward.
It could take up to 48 hours before your tree starts to drink. If you find that your tree is not drinking after this time, try adding hot (not boiling) water to your tree stand. This will help break up any hard sap deposits that may be blocking the water intake. Where should we set up our Christmas tree?
If it is kept well-watered, a Christmas tree can last around four to five weeks before drying out. You can tell you're doing it right if the tree doesn't shed its needles or bow under the weight of your ornaments. The species of tree also contributes to the tree's lifespan.
One trick is to refresh the water in the stand and put an aspirin in there. Or, try a concoction of aspirin, sugar, and a bit of lemon juice. This will give you a few extra days of a non-smelly, good-looking tree.
No, that is not true. Adding aspirin -- or anything else -- to water in the tree stand reservoir does nothing to prolong the life of a cut tree. Research indicates that the most important things you can do to keep a cut tree healthy are: Select a fresh tree.
The magnesium sulfate produced by the epsom salt and chelated iron help in the production of chlorophyll, keeping your tree nice and green. The small amount of bleach added helps in reducing mold that can form when corn syrup and water stand in the resevoir for to long.