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Roses Article Series
10
Tips for Cutting Roses
There is nothing more refreshing than a bouquet
full of lively, sweet smelling roses. Very few other plants
can be displayed as beautifully as roses can. The powerful
aromas and buds blossoming further into existence can brighten
up the gloomiest of days. Enjoy a vase of red roses in the
middle of the dinner table or an arrangement of yellow roses
perched on your bureau. Fresh cut roses will fill your living
spaces with positive, natural energy.
Of course, that sad day when you have to throw the cut roses
away will eventually come. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that
serenity could be maintained forever? Well, you may not be
able to keep your roses alive forever but you can do the next
best thing. Keep your roses fresh for the longest time possible
by cutting them properly.
You don’t have to be a major Rosarian or a head gardener to
cut roses. But it help if you know that there is a procedure
to cutting roses that will yield better results than just snipping
them and throwing them in a vase. By following a few easy steps
you can keep your fresh cut roses alive and beautiful for longer.
First, before you head out into the garden, find a bucket
and put an ample amount of hot water in it. Also take a holding
container with hot water with you. Put the roses in the bucket
and cut off about half an inch at an angle below the water
line. Leave the roses in the water for ten seconds. Then move
them to the holding container and leave them there until the
water cools to room temperature.
Flowers with longer
stems should be chosen so you can trim
them again to fill out an arrangement. Use clean shears that
are very sharp for precise cuts. And always cut above the bud
to insure that future growth is not stunted. You want to be
able to cut more roses in the future.
The best time to cut roses is when temperatures
are cooler.
So you need to either get up with the roosters, or wait until
after late in the afternoon. This is when the bloom and upper
cane of the rose will have the most plant sugar in it. The
worst time to cut roses is midday or whenever temperatures
are hot. Carefully search for the roses that are on the verge
of their optimum stage of development. Pick buds that are opening
but are not completely in bloom.
Don’t be overzealous and cut
off too many leaves at once.
You want a full arrangement, but you don’t want to harm your
roses. If you don’t leave at least three leaves on a rose stem
you will starve the plant.
Discard any leaves that will end up sitting below the water
line in the vase. Your roses will need more than water to survive
once cut. Your roses will need a little extra help to maintain
their stellar good looks. Be sure to add a floral preservative.
Or if you don’t have any immediately handy, mix a bit of lemon
juice and sugar together and drip it into the vase.
Roses need a tidy
bowl to live in. Refresh the water every
time it begins to get dirty. Also, allow your roses to get
acclimated to their new environment before they wilt. Store
the cut roses in a shady low temperature area before you show
them off and whenever you leave the house.
If
your roses start to wilt don’t panic. Try cutting the ends
of the stems again and place them in clement water for an hour
or so. This should help water travel better through the stems
and put off wilting for a while. One more tip for rose life
span extension is to store the roses in the refrigerator over
night. This will preserve your roses for an optimum amount
of time.
Roses are very favorable flowers to cut. These simple, easy
steps will make a difference in their life span once cut. If
you furnish them with a favorable environment they will last
much longer than most flowers after being cut.
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: 2006
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