How to Care for Valentine's Day Roses
When your loved one brings you roses for Valentine's Day, show him you appreciate the effort by taking care of the flowers to ensure they last as long as possible.
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Instructions
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Cut the stems of any bouquets you receive that are not in a vase. Cut at an angle so the flowers can soak up more water. Remove any leaves that touch the water. Replace the water at least every other day. If the water if murky, clean the vase and refill it. Use cold water. Don't fill the vase to the top. It's best to only cover about 6 inches of the stems with water.
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Buy a packet of food for cut flowers at your florist or craft center. Many Valentine's Day arrangements come with food packets. Alternatively, you could add a penny to the water to deter bacteria from forming. Some experts also recommend a bit of lemon-lime soda or sugar to help feed the flowers.
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Keep your roses in a cool place. Alternatively, display them where you would like during the day and store them in a basement or other cool place at night.
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Hang the roses upside down before they become so wilted that the petals begin to fall. Let the roses dry, and then use them for dried arrangements or simply keep them for sentimental reasons. Taking the time to preserve your roses will show your loved one you how much you care.
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Remove the rose petals before drying to create potpourri. Lay the petals in a single layer on paper towels or a drying screen, if you have one.
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Use silica gel to preserve your roses if shape and color is important to you. Submerse the blooms in the silica, which can be bought at most craft shops. Note that the silica will remove the scent of the roses.
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Freeze-dry your roses. Many professional agencies will take your flowers and remove the moisture from them using a cold vacuum chamber. This leaves your roses' beauty and scent nearly intact, but it can be expensive.
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Wilted roses may be brought back to life by sticking the ends of their stems into boiling water for about 30 seconds. Then, cut the end of the stems off and place the roses in cool water. Take care not to put too much of the stem in hot water or to burn yourself.
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Don't place your roses near a heating vent, radiator, stove or sunny window. The warmth will make them wilt faster.
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Soak your roses with glycerine if you prefer to keep them supple and fragrant. Glycerine can be bought at craft stores or pharmacies.
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Tips & Warnings
Be careful about adding bleach to the water. While some experts say it will keep your flowers fresh, it will bleach the stems and possibly the inside of your colored vase.
