How do I keep my bunch of roses alive longer?

Question

My partner bought me a dozen beautiful roses for my anniversary. They have been sitting in a vase at my desk for 3 days (I used the flower-food sachet that the florist gave me) I am going to take them home with me today though and was wondering if anyone knew how I could keep them alive for as long as possible?

Answer 1

I always put a fizzy asprin in the water with my flowers, it keeps them alive for longer. Also, if there were any carnations in the bunch, throw them out because they'll kill all the others...

Answer 2

Hi, I hope you get this in time.
snip the ends of the stalks, split them a little way up, about half an inch,(or crush the ends with pliers), add just enough tepid water to come about two to three inches up the stalks, change the water daily, and snip and split or crush every 2 to 3 days. You'll be surprised how much longer they will last.
Also you can purchase further sachets of flower food from any florist, but you need only a little at a time if you are going to follow the above instructions, otherwise you'll only be wasting it all, by throwing it away every day.
Happy Days!,

Answer 3

There are many options.
The one I do regularly- and get life of upto 2weeks in Tropical India:

Cut the stalks with a flower shear at about 45 degrees- and mash the end surface a little- to permit higher water absorption.

Next,
Put the bouquet in a half vase half filled with water and add a tsp of common salt and sugar each plus half a pinch of baking soda- alternatively, salt+ 75%water + 25% lemonade.

now,
keep the set-up in a cool, naturally illuminated place with good aeration- but away from direct/strong sunlight and wind

Also,
sprinkle some water on the rose petals and leaves- I do it twice a day normally - and 4-5 times a day in harsh summers- refreshens drying skin of petals

Aerate
It's also a good idea to remove the bouquet from the vase a few seconds and putting back with a splash several times a day- (if the petals are not too fragile)- it restores oxygen in the water.

Of course,
I do cut off any un- necessary green leaves before putting the bouquet in the vase- using shears- and apply some 'vaseline' at these cut-ends - to minimize water loss.

Depending upon the quality of the roses and climatic conditions in your area the roses could last upto or over a month.

Answer 4

Roses are trickier to preserve than other flowers. Transport them back home with the stems wrapped in wet newspaper in a waterproof bag. It is essential to shorten the stems immediately when you get home by at least two inches with a sharp knife or secateurs. Cut at an angle. Put them in a bucket of tepid (not hot or cold as this would give them an additional shock) water up to their necks for an hour. Transfer in a vase which contains plenty of water and half an aspirin tablet after removing any leaves likely to be underwater. Display in a cool place away from heat, central heating or sunshine but well lit.
Top up water daily. Enjoy!

Answer 5

Most likey got them home now but you need to cut the stem at the bottom so they are split. Pop a spoonful of sugar in to the water and keep them in a cool place away from the sun they will last longer. Change the water every two days not every day.
When they have died save some of the petals by pressing them in a book.
I keep flowers for three weeks doing this some longer depending on flower. However plants I do kill not good with plants.

Answer 6

Here are some good tips,

1) Fill the vase with half (not diet) lemonade and half water. The sugar feeds them.

2) Cut them straight and then bash the ends with a rolling pin. This helps them absorb more water.

3) Keep them cool but some where they can get sunshine.

4) Strip off any leaves. They take unnessecary water and food away from the flower.

Good luck with them - they should last a couple of weeks with these tips. And congratulations on your anniversary.

Thanks
Helen

Answer 7

When you first get flowers you should cut the stems under water... it helps prevent bubbles from forming int the stem, which stops the flowers from sucking up water in the vase. you should also remove some of the bottom leaves, as these suck up energy from the flowers, this makes them wilt faster.
Concerning the roses you got for your anniversary... you should wrap the bottom of the stems in tissue paper while your traelling with them, so they have a supply of water. Before they are completely wilted, turn them upside down and hang them in a warm dry place. Then will become dried flowers, you can keep these for a while. Not as nice as the original fresh flowers, but a nice reminder of your anniversary.

Answer 8

A florist friend told me that if the heads of the roses droop, re-cut the stems and stand in very hot water for a minute. Then plunge into a cold water vase with florist food in. This unlikely remedy has rescued many drooping roses for me.

Answer 9

Add a half a teaspoon of common salt (table salt) or an aspirin to the water in which you want to keep the roses and they will stay fresh for atleast a week or even longer. Also trim the ends of the stem and clear the lower part of the stems of any leaves before putting the roses in the water.

Answer 10

There are two things that you can do that will keep your Rose alive longer. Change the water daily and recut the stems after a few days under cool water. This usually helps keep them going. Also the cooler the room in which they are kept the longer they will survive. Good Luck!

Answer 11

Add a little 7-up (canned drink) to the water and they will last longer, also why not keep a couple tie them together at the stem hang them upside down in a dark airing cupboard until they dry out, this way you can display them as dried roses, do this while they are fresh and they should keep a nice colour.