How to Keep Roses Fresh

I'd rather have roses on my table
than diamonds round my neck.
Emma Goldman

Roses are perfect for every occasion - as gifts or for decorations. Everyone wants to keep it fresh and lively for a long time. Extra care is needed in each step, i.e. from cutting of roses to maintaining it in a vase. You can enhance the longevity of your roses by adhering to the following guidelines.

Cutting of Roses

Cutting of roses is a very simple task, but when it comes to maintaining the flowers freshness for a longer timespan, you have to be more careful.

• Water your plant well before cutting. If you want to cut the flowers in the morning, water the plant the previous evening itself.
• Cut the flowers early in the morning or in the evening.
• Don't cut wet or damp flowers.
• Always choose flowers that are not fully open, but avoid fully-closed buds.
• Don't use scissors for cutting, as they can damage the stems. Get some sharp tool or those specialized ones available in the market for this purpose.
• Carry a container with tepid water and immerse the stems of the flowers, soon after cutting.
• Re-cut the stems beneath the water to eliminate air bubbles, which can cause wilting of the flowers.

Indoor Care

Once you bring the roses indoor, it should be kept in the container (with water) itself for one hour in a cool, dark place. If you don't want to use it immediately, place it in the refrigerator at a temperature of 38 degree Celsius, till you take it out.

• Fill 3/4th of the vase or jar with warm water. The water should not be cooler than the room temperature.
• Add the ready made preservatives and dissolve it. If ready made preservative is not available, you make it by yourself by mixing equal parts of lime soda and water. Preservatives help in retaining freshness of flowers.
• Remove leaves that were immersed in water. There should not be any torn, infected, damaged or brown leaves on the stem of cut flowers.
• Cut the stem of each flower separately (Preferably beneath water) at an angle of 45 degrees to facilitate easier absorption of water. Cut off half an inch from the bottom of the stem and arrange the flowers in the vase.
• You have to trim the stems and leaves, and change the water in the vase on daily basis. This helps in keeping them fresh and prevents rotting. Add more preservatives every time you change the water.
• For longer life of the flowers, keep the vase in a cool place, but a warm place can help in the opening of buds. Always keep the flowers away from direct sunlight, heaters and air conditioners.

The same method is applicable for bouquets too (sans the cutting part). These suggestions can help you to keep your roses fresh for may be a week or more. Try this, the next time you get a bouquet of roses or when you plan flower arrangement.