How to Precondition Cut Roses

Rate: (2 Ratings)

Preconditioning cut roses is similar to how you precondition other cut flowers; yet there are a few differences. Read on to learn more.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Once you have your rose cuttings in a pail bring them indoors. You will need to have another container of fresh, room temperature water handy. Take each rose out of the original pail and place its stem underwater in the fresh water. While the stem is underwater cut another one or two inches off of the stem at a 45 degree angle. Doing this will ensure that the flower stems are absorbing air instead of water. It is important that you use a sharp tool. If you do not, you may bruise the rose stems and block the tubes which carry the water.

Step2

After the cut has been made and while the stem is still underwater you should gently scrape the sides of the rose stems with a knife. Scrape only the bottom inch or two. Removing a bit of the flower stems fiber in this way will help it to absorb water easier.

Step3

Remove any foliage or leaves that have been underwater. This will ensure that your roses don’t become infected with bacteria once their leaves start to rot. You should also remove any extra leaves or foliage from yoru roses. Doing so will keep the water that is absorbed through the flower’s stem from going to these areas. Removing the extra leaves and foliage will also make your arrangement look cleaner if it is in a glass container.

Step4

Up to this point you have preconditioned your roses like most any other flower. At this time you will now take your roses out of the water one by one and mash the bottom of the stems with a wooden mallet. This will help with water absorption. Next, remove any thorns along the stem with a sharp knife. Work from the bottom of the thorn up; just be sure that you do not scrap off too much green bark with the thorn. Doing so could prompt your rose to scar and it can clog up the tubes which carry water to the blossom.

Step5

After you bruise the bottom of each stem and remove the thorns you should place the cuttings in room temperature water. Be sure to mist the flower heads with cool water. Allow the roses to set for about an hour and then go on to the conditioning stage.