I received a dozen red roses and for one week they stayed closed. I thought they would finally open but 8 days later they are showing black edges and don't appear to be opening. Does anyone know why this would occur?
I read where putting a teaspoon of sugar in the water will make them last longer. A little tea, lukewarm in temperature, added to the water is good for them also.
Racer
If you received them during the Winter months, they may have been out in the cold. Usually if they get cold moved from one location to another, roses won't open up any more that what they were at the time you received them. I learned the hard way. I never purchase any flowers if weather is below 35 degrees. Hope this is the answer to your problem.
Contact the florist if they came from there. If they were in a vase, it is their problem. If you got them wrapped, it is yours. Always let them warm if out in the cold. Then follow instructions on the packet of floral life or what ever is packed in with the flowers. It suggests warm water with so much packet. Trim off foliage on filler and flowers below water line. Trim at an angle at the height you want the flowers to be. You might want to put them in the vase with no water first to see how to arrange them. Less messy this way.
Remember for the height, you are going to trim off and freshen water daily, so you will snip 1/4-1/2 inch daily. Remember when putting into vase, to criss-cross one then the other. Like lacing your shoes. This will give you a nice look, unless you have other plans. Then use the filler to fill in, making sure that foliage is healthy.
I don't use sugar, pop, bleach, etc. I bring in all sorts of flowers from the garden regularly. Just fresh water, if highly chlorinated, draw a gallon or two off and let set a day before picking your flowers.
Remember to deadhead off when necessary. If the time you have the beautiful roses is not a week, let the shop know.
Keep flowers away from the sun, heat, straight breezes, etc. The like it cool at night. Not always able to put in fridge for room.
I think I can tell you exactly why your roses don't open. Many florists keep them refrigerated so that they don't open in the shop (No one buys roses that are already open). If they have been refrigerated TOO long, they never open at all when you get them. You should always let the florist know you want them replaced with fresh roses.
I heard that you need to cut the stems UNDER water when you get them and before you place them in your own vase. Roses will take in a breath of air if you do not do this and they wilt and die much faster.
If they came from a florist, call them and they should replace them. ( They don't know there is something wrong if no one tells them.) Do not put flowers on top of a TV or a drafty place. It very likely is due to the buds being cut to tight from the grower.If they are delivered in a box instead of a vase.You should always cut,with a sharp knife, the stems on an angle about 1/2 inch from the bottom and place in hot water( add 1/2 teaspoon of bleach to a qt.
Will grocery store florists replace them? Like Ralphs?
