How to Fix Limp Roses

Fresh cut roses can become limp over time as the stems become clogged with bacteria and air bubbles. This buildup in the stem reduces the amount of water traveling to the head of the flower. Limp roses can be fixed easily and quickly. You can flush out air bubbles and bacteria from the stem by exposing new stem tissue and soaking the rose in a warm water solution, allowing the rose to re-hydrate and become firm once more.

Container
Warm water
Flower food
Stem cutter or knife

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a container 2/3 full of warm water. Add flower food according to the rate on the package instructions. Stir the solution until the flower food has dissolved.
- 2
  Remove the limp roses from your bouquet and re-cut their stems. Use a stem cutter or sharp knife to remove the bottom 1-inch of stem. Make the cut at a 45 degree angle to expose a larger amount of fresh tissue.
- 3
  Place the stems of the roses in the container of warm water. Let them sit in the solution for one hour. The warm water will increase the rate of water uptake in the flower, flushing out bacteria and removing air bubbles.
- 4
  Pour the old water from the bouquet down the drain. Rinse the container to remove debris. Fill the vase with luke-warm to cool water and add flower food according to package directions.
- 5
  Remove the roses from the warm water solution when they are firm and replace them in the arrangement. Place the arrangement in a cool area out of direct sunlight.

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