Does anyone have a suggestion for keeping cut winterberry stems fresh until holiday time? I have picked a bunch of it, and kept them in water in my garage. They looked ok until 4-5 days later when the berries started to shrivel. I ended up putting them under my bird feeders for the birds to enjoy.

I only pick a little, so as to leave a ton for winter birds who love it. Problem is you have to pick it now, or in December, its all gone! I was thinking of adding some glycerine to the water in the bucket???

I'd welcome anyone's suggestions.

Thanks, Marsha

Another thing you can try is dipping in wax. Melt wax and thin it with Mineral Oil so it doesn't look all "waxy." They won't last as long as the other way, but they'll keep much longer.

Marsha

Would you be so kind as to tell me how much glycerine or antifreeze to put and how much water. I am assuming I would mix up a batch of this solution and store the cut stems in it???

Thanks again,
Marsha

With antifreeze, use it just as it is, or you can thin it with alcohol. Always be careful about where you put your antifreeze because the methyl alcohol in it is toxic.

Prestone makes an antifreeze called "LowTox" that's a mixture of glycerin and isopropyl alcohol. It's much safer if you can find it. Put the cut stems in the solution and you should be able to see it as it's taken up the stem, about 2-3 weeks.

Marsha