Cut roses are among the most beloved flowers for their beauty and unmistakable fragrance. However, without proper care, they can quickly wilt, depriving us of the pleasure of admiring them. With a few simple tips and daily attention, you can significantly extend the life of cut roses, keeping them fresh and beautiful for up to 7-10 days. In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover all the secrets to taking the best care of your roses and enjoying their beauty for as long as possible.

Initial Preparation of Cut Roses

The timing of your roses' arrival or purchase is crucial in determining how long they'll stay fresh. Early care can make a big difference in how long your flowers last.

Choosing Quality Roses

First and foremost, it's important to select good-quality roses. When purchasing cut roses, look for ones with sturdy stems and firm petals that show no signs of wilting. Check the base of the petals, where they join the stem: this area should be firm and not soft or sticky, a sign that the flowers are already old.

Transport of the Roses

During transportation home, it's essential to keep roses hydrated. If possible, ask your florist to wrap the base of the stems in damp paper or damp cotton. Avoid leaving roses in cars under the sun or in excessively hot environments, as heat accelerates wilting.

Cutting the Stems: The Correct Technique

Trimming the stems is one of the most important steps to ensure cut roses stay fresh longer. Proper trimming allows roses to absorb water efficiently, prolonging their life.

How to Cut Stems Correctly

As soon as you get home, prepare the roses by following these essential steps:

1. Fill a container with cool, room-temperature water
2. Use very sharp and clean scissors or shears to avoid crushing the stems.
3. Cut the stems underwater at a 45° angle to prevent air from entering the lymph vessels.
4. Remove at least 2-3 centimeters from the bottom of the stem
5. Remove any leaves that would end up immersed in water to prevent the formation of bacteria

Changing Water and Nutrients

Water is vital for cut roses. Its quality and regular watering are essential for keeping the flowers fresh and preventing bacterial growth.

Water Change Frequency

To keep cut roses fresher longer, it's a good idea to change the water every 2-3 days . When you change the water, take the opportunity to re-cut the stems by about 1 cm, always using a 45° angle. This eliminates any obstructed stems and promotes better water absorption.

What to Add to Water

To prolong the life of cut roses, you can add some elements to the water that help nourish the flowers and prevent bacterial growth:

Ideal Positioning of Cut Roses

Where you place your vase of cut roses can significantly affect their lifespan. Choosing the right spot is essential to keeping them fresh longer.

Where to Place Roses

To ensure the longest life for your cut roses, follow these placement tips:

Tricks for Hot Environments

If you live in a particularly hot environment or during the summer, you can adopt these special measures:

• Place roses in the coolest room in the house
• During the night, move the pot to an even cooler place
• Consider placing the roses in the refrigerator overnight (if you have space)
• Gently spray the petals with water mist during the hottest hours

Daily Maintenance of Cut Roses

Daily care is essential to keeping cut roses fresh and beautiful. Small daily touches can make a big difference in the lifespan of your flowers.

Daily Checks

To keep your cut roses in top condition, spend a few minutes every day doing these simple checks:

Removing Wilted Flowers

As time passes, some roses may begin to wilt earlier than others. It's important to promptly remove any flowers showing signs of deterioration to prevent them from negatively affecting others. Fading roses release ethylene, a gas that accelerates the aging of nearby flowers.

Special Techniques to Extend the Life of Roses

Beyond basic care, there are some special techniques that can help further extend the life of your cut roses. These methods can be especially useful for special occasions when you want your roses to last as long as possible.

Storage in the refrigerator

If you want your roses to last longer for a special occasion, you can store them in the refrigerator overnight:

• Gently cover the roses with a light plastic bag to protect them.
• Place them in the refrigerator away from fruit and vegetables
• Maintain a temperature of around 4-5°C
• Bring them back to room temperature in the morning

Conclusions: Enjoy Your Roses Longer

Caring for cut roses requires attention and dedication, but the results are well worth the effort. By following the advice in this guide on how to care for cut roses , you'll be able to enjoy the beauty and fragrance of your flowers much longer than usual.

Remember that each rose variety may respond slightly differently to care, so feel free to experiment and adapt these tips to your specific needs. Over time, you'll develop a better understanding of how to best care for your favorite roses.

Have you tried these methods for caring for your cut roses? Do you have any other tips to share? Leave a comment and share your experience!