How to Keep Bouquets of Roses Alive

A bouquet of roses lasts longer with proper care.

A beautiful bouquet of fresh roses brightens any room. The longer your roses last, the longer you can enjoy their vibrant colors, full buds and aromatic scent. Whether you bought the flowers at the market, picked them from your garden or had them delivered to your doorstep, you can take some quick measures to make sure your rose bouquet stays alive and looking fresh.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup chlorine bleach
• Rags
• Scissors
• Rubbing alcohol
• Floral preservative
• White vinegar
• Sugar

Instructions

1. Clean the container or vase before putting the bouquet inside. Combine 1 cup of chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of water in the sink. Scrub the vase inside and out with a rag. Let the vase sit in the bleach mixture for five minutes, then clean thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Rinse the vase well.

2. Pull all dead leaves and petals off the roses. Remove leaves and foliage from the part of the stems that will be submerged in water.

3. Disinfect a pair of scissors by rubbing the blades with a rag and rubbing alcohol. Cut about an inch off the bottom of the stems, making the cut at an angle.

4. Fill the vase about three-quarters full with very warm water. Add a floral preservative to the water before putting in the roses. You can make your own preservative by adding 1 tbsp. of white vinegar and 1/2 tsp. of sugar to the water.

5. Change the water and recut the stems every two or three days. Cut about an inch off the stems and refill the vase with warm water and floral preservative.

6. Remove dead flowers, leaves and foliage as you see it. Take off any new leaves that are below the water line.

7. Keep your vase of roses in a cool place. Ideally, the temperature should be between 65 and 72 F. Avoid putting the roses near direct sunlight, cooling and heating vents, fans or on top of appliances or electronics. Consider putting your roses in the refrigerator before you go to bed or leave the house for the day.

References

• Flowers & Gifts for Montreal: Caring for Your Flowers
• "Farmers' Almanac"; 7 Easy Ways to Make Your Roses Last Longer; Deborah Tukua; February 2008
• Santa Clarita Valley Rose Society; Extend the Life of Your Cut Roses; Kitty Belendez