How to Keep Roses & Fresh Cut Flowers

Water the flowers and roses you intend to cut the evening before you harvest the blooms. By watering the flowering plants late in the day, before cutting the following day, you are hydrating the plant, stems and flowers as much as possible. the more water the stems and flower buds contain, the longer they last after cutting.

Cut the flowers and roses before the heat of the day, while the stems and flower buds are still fully hydrated. Use sharp hand pruners to cut the flowers and roses, scissors tend to crimp the stem ends, trapping air in the stem. Cut the flower stems as long as possible at this point. As soon as you cut a flower or rose stem, place the cut stem in a container of warm water. Warm water is easier for the flower stems to absorb than cool or cold water.

Prepare the water you are going to use in the vase for your flowers and roses using commercial floral preservative, following the directions, or mix your own. To make your own floral preservative, mix lemon lime soda pop, not diet, with water in a ratio of 3 parts warm water to one part soda. The soda will provide the nutrients to your flowers. To this mixture, add 1 tbsp. general household bleach to control bacteria in the vase water.

Re-cut all the flower and rose stems to the desired length with sharp hand pruners, or sharp knife, while holding the stem under water. By cutting the stems in water you avoid the potential of air becoming trapped in the end of the stem, which can block the stem from taking up water. Remove any leaves or foliage that would be submerged in the vase water. Place the re-cut stems in warm water immediately.

Change the water mixture every day to keep it from developing bacteria and keep your flowers and roses fresher longer.