How to Extend the Life of Fresh Cut Roses

Roses are beautiful and a wonderful gift to receive. It is natural to want to extend their life. The longer roses live, the longer you can be reminded of what they represent and enjoy the beauty they add to any living space.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Roses
• Bathtub or basin with running water
• Vase
• Plant food or aspirin

1. Fill a bathtub or other basin with cool water.

2. One by one, submerge each rose and cut the base of the stem off on a diagonal.

3. Hold the stems under water for a moment, then allow each rose to float.

4. Soak the roses for one hour.

5. Fill a vase with room temperature water. Add plant food if it was provided with the flowers. Otherwise drop in a single aspirin tablet.

6. Remove the roses from the basin and arrange them in the vase.

7. Repeat this as often as once a day (or as close to that as you are able).

Tips & Warnings

• Leaves may be cut off the stem, if they will otherwise be submerged in the vase’s water. This will keep the water from getting cloudy and dirty as quickly.

[SmithM99]

on 7/27/2008 thanks