Caring for a Rose Bouquet

So, you've just received a rose bouquet and want to arrange and care for it. The following tips and tricks will help you give your roses the very best care.

Caring for Your Rose Bouquet

Unpacking your flowers and putting them in a little tap water won't help your roses live up to their potential. If you want the best from your blooms you have to pay attention to some strategic and design guidelines. This won't be difficult, but it will take a little time and care. Remember, roses are living things that need some basic and important things.

Preparing Your Roses

You might think your roses are no longer vulnerable to the predations of bacteria, but that's not true. Exposure to bacteria is one key reason flowers fade sooner than they have to. In order to limit the presence of bacteria on or near your roses, sterilize the vase you plan on using with a weak bleach solution, and rinse it out thoroughly. To give them the freshest, cleanest start, add distilled, not tap water, to the vase. The water shouldn't be too cold, either. Tepid water is the best choice.

Check the cut end of the stem. It should be cut cleanly, without ragged edges. To be on the safe side, recut the stem a quarter inch from the bottom with the sharpest knife you can find. A serrated knife or pair of scissors is a poor choice. You want an almost surgical cut that won't compact or damage the stems any more than necessary. A new craft or utility knife is perfect. Cut the stems on a 45 degree angle, and immerse them in water immediately. In fact, if you can, cut the stems under water.

Cut flowers are thirsty, and the biggest problem with drooping and premature fading is lack of water. To keep roses hydrated, you have to keep the cut stem open enough for water uptake to get to the flower. Using a clean vase, clean water, and making a clean cut to the bottom of each stem are all great steps, but you also have to change the water regularly, this means daily, for the life of the arrangement.

The Best Location for Your Roses

Cut flowers and potted plants are very susceptible to changes in temperature. For the best results, choose a location for your flowers that is away from direct sunlight and out of drafts, particularly drafts from exterior doors. You also want a spot that isn't in the direct path of air coming from your heating or air conditioning vents. The last thing you want to avoid is the heat that radiates from electronic equipment, like the top of a television set.

Ideally you want a spot that gets some indirect light and maintains a steady temperature. Some natural, ambient humidity is a great plus too.

Now that you've found the best location and your roses are ready to go, you can indulge your creative side by placing your rose bouquet in a water filled vase. To retard bacterial growth, make sure any low lying leaves are above the water line.