MANHATTAN, Kan. – Love is in the air, but the goodwill that one might earn by sending Valentine’s Day roses could be quickly lost if those flowers quickly wilt.
Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham said there are important guidelines to follow to help extend the life of roses.
For floral arrangements, Upham’s recommendations include:
* Keep the vase filled – or the floral foam soaked – with warm water. Add fresh, warm water daily.
“If the water turns cloudy, replace it immediately,” Upham said. “If possible, recut stems by removing 1 to 2 inches with a sharp knife, under water.”
* Keep flowers in a cool spot (62 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit). Place the flowers away from direct sunlight, ceiling fans, heating and cooling vents, and radiators.
* If a rose starts to wilt, remove it from the arrangement. Recut the stem under water. Submerge the entire rose in warm water. “The rose should revive in 1 to 2 hours,” Upham said.
Upham adds that if you receive loose stem roses, and can’t get them in water right away, keep them in a cool place. Then as soon as possible, fill a clean, deep vase with water and add flower food obtained from a florist.
“Remove leaves that will be below the water line,” Upham said. “Leaves in water will promote bacterial growth. Recut stems under water with a sharp knife and place the flowers in the vase solution you’ve prepared.”
Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.
Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at [email protected], or contact your local K-State Research and Extension office.
