Mike Carruthers

Today on Something You Should Know, what's the best way to make cut flowers in a vase last longer?

Then habituation, this thing we humans do where we just get used to things, sometimes for good, sometimes not.

Also, if you need to figure something out, you might want to lie down and how to really connect with others in a conversation and why it's so important.

All this today on Something You Should Know.

Hi, welcome.

I appreciate you taking time out of your day to listen to another episode of Something You Should Know.

I want to start today talking about flowers because everybody has given flowers or received flowers.

And the problem with flowers is, of course, they don't last all that long.

You've probably heard the advice that one way to keep flowers fresher longer is to put aspirin in the water.

Actually, the results are mixed on that.

In fact, one research paper published by the International Society for Horticultural Science back in 2012 found that aspirin actually reduced the shelf life of cut flowers.

It isn't clear that the flowers are really able to absorb the aspirin to get any benefits.

Then there is that little packet of flower food that comes with the flowers.

According to one test, it helps.

It helps for about four days or so.

But after that, the effects seem to wear off and the flowers start to deteriorate pretty rapidly.

Interestingly, what does seem to help keep flowers perkier and fresher longer...

is Viagra.

In a test, one milligram of Viagra was crushed and put into the water and it kept the flowers perky for almost two weeks compared to similar flowers without Viagra that started wilting in just a few days.

And that is something you should know.