What's the best way to keep roses from dropping their petals after they're cut?
By vickie guy from Earle, AR
When fresh, place heavy duty clean scissor blades beneath a four inch deep bowl of sugared water, cutting while under the water, diagonally about an inch toward flower, to allow all air to leave stem while stem is then filled with the sugared water to preserve it better; quickly adding stem to position in vase full of sugared water, with 1/2 tsp. ginger ale added. Do not change water for three days, then have sugared water and ale ready immediately after cutting another inch off towards the flower to remove any aging/rotting stem.
If the air is not too warm, not near a bright window, the flower will stay fresh longer, but in no case longer than five-six days, at which time it will lose petals. Some varieties are not good cut flowers, you know. If you have removed any thorns gently from roses, and bottom leaves from all stems of any flower, so they are not under water, it will also preserve the bloom.
Drafts, heat, light and touching all affect the petals, because a flower is dead the moment it is cut from the plant, remember as well. God bless you.
When it comes to flowers and holidays, Poinsettias have Christmas and lilies own Easter. On Valentine's Day, however, few people would argue with the fact that long-stemmed roses reign supreme.
