Once you order roses, it is important to take them out of the packaging and give them some tender loving care until you’re ready to display them at your event. Like pets, they really do need attention or they can wither and droop.
If the roses look droopy upon arrival, it is because they get thirsty during the shipping process. They will perk up with your assistance and diligence. You should handle them as quickly as possible.
The first step is to make sure that you have some flower food packets on hand; if not, you should take a minute to pick some up. You should also make sure you’re wearing older clothes and gardening gloves while handling the roses.
The next step is to fill your vases or holders with several inches of clean and cool water, and add the flower food. The water needs to be cool because warm water may force the roses to open. The flower food is a replacement food for the nutrients that the roses are missing from their soil bed.
Under running water, snip the ends off the roses (approximately 1 inch). You will want to slice at a diagonal, and do not snip the roses in open air. By snipping them under running water, you will keep the stem from sealing itself. Before placing the roses in the water and containers, look for any leaves that will end up underwater. Leaves that are submerged beneath water need to be removed to prevent a bacteria problem, yet if you remove too many leaves, water cannot be pushed up the stem by the internal pumping action of the leaves.
Your roses will re-hydrate and perk up in a matter of hours. And just as pets need fresh water, so do roses. They need a change of water every day or two, ideally. (You will notice the water getting murky and know they need fresh water.)
Make sure the roses are kept out of direct sunlight so that they do not open prematurely. They should not be near air vents, nor should they be allowed to sit in freezing temperatures. A dark corner is the ideal spot to keep them happy for a couple days until your big event.
Tags: roses