When it comes to flowers, there are few that speak as much as the rose. Not only is it the national flower of England, but it is perhaps best known for its links to love and romance.
In fact, more than 250 million roses are sold around the world on Valentine’s Day alone. But keeping them fresh is not such an easy task as many of us have seen our beautiful bouquets seemingly wither before our eyes.
Now David Denyer, flower expert at flower and gift delivery service Eflorist, has put together a guide on the importance of rose care. And he explains one thing you should never do (and four things you should do) to get the most out of your flowers.
Water your roses every few days.
How often you water your flowers depends on the type of flower you have and their location. In the case of roses, they can only last about six hours out of water.
For indoor flowers in a vase, change the water every two to three days. This ensures that the water stays fresh and any bacteria that grows will be eliminated.
While for roses growing outdoors, it is best to water them at least once every three days to a week. However, it’s a good idea to check the soil moisture when you can to decide if they need some water.
Do not place roses in direct sunlight.
Although roses absolutely need the sun to survive, their best temperature is between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius, so you want to make sure they are not too hot. If the flowers or water become too hot, the flowers may begin to wilt quickly and ultimately die faster.
Always place your roses in a clean vase.
It’s important to always place your flowers in a clean vase, so be sure to scrub it with warm water and dish soap first. If you don’t have a vase on hand, fill the sink with some fresh water and place it there.
Cold or warm water works best for this. While they may not be the most aesthetically pleasing bouquet while sitting in the sink, keeping them in water from the moment you receive them is crucial to their health and growth.
Cut the stems of your roses
Before placing roses in a vase, be sure to cut about an inch off the stems. This increases the surface area and allows the roses to absorb more water, so continue cutting the stems every few days to maintain this pace.
Remove excess leaves from your roses
Be sure to remove any leaves that are below the water line in your vase, as they may begin to rot. If the leaves begin to rot, the water can begin to produce bacteria, which will hinder the health and growth of the roses.
