Roses always have a enchanting charm, but once the freshness wears off, the magical power evaporates too. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to extend the life of flowers, whether in the garden or in the vase that adorns your home. Providing plenty of fresh water, providing balanced or low glucose plant nutrients, and maintaining a constant temperature can help keep roses fresh for days or even weeks.
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Method 1 of 2: Caring for Cut Flowers
Step 1. Start with a clean vase
Before displaying roses, wash the vase first. You can do this in the dishwasher or by hand using warm water and antibacterial soap. It is important to use clean containers because dirty vases are often a breeding ground for bacteria and contain chemical deposits from tap water.
- If you use the same vase, make it a habit to scrub the vase after each use.
- Make sure the inside of the vase is free of dirt. Residue left by previous flowers can also accelerate the decay of fresh roses.
Step 2. Pour distilled or purified water into a vase
Use bottled water to keep cut roses moist or purchase a water purification system to filter tap water. The freshness of roses can last longer in water with a neutral or near neutral pH. Using hard and soft water can cause roses to wilt and change color.
- If you use tap water to fill the vase, refrigerate it overnight to allow the chlorine to evaporate before adding the roses.
- In an emergency, water purification tablets can also be used to adjust the pH of the water. Add the tablets according to the recommended dose for the volume of water used and wait at least 30 minutes before adding the roses.
Step 3. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the water in the vase
Regular granulated sugar is one of the simplest and most effective ways to provide flowers with the nutrients they need. The general rule is to add 2 tablespoons of sugar for every 1 liter of water. The rose will absorb the sugar solution through the stalk and convert it into beneficial glucose which will help the rose cells and tissues become dense and full.
- Avoid using sugar substitutes such as aspartame, saccharin, or stevia. These substances do not undergo the same chemical breakdown as sugar and are therefore ineffective for roses.
- Keep in mind that roses are organisms that also need food, even after being cut, put in vases, and used to decorate homes.
Step 4. Do not place the vase in direct sunlight or in a hot place
As with other fresh produce, keeping cut roses in a cool place can help retain their freshness. In general, the cooler the environment, the longer the rose will last. Avoid the urge to put roses on the windowsill or in the sun for long periods of time. High temperatures will make the roses wither quickly.
- Consider storing roses in the refrigerator overnight or when they don't need to be displayed. However, make sure you keep them away from other fresh produce as the gases released by fruit and vegetables can have an adverse effect on the shelf life of the flowers.
- If you are displaying roses in a room that tends to be hot and stuffy, place the vase in a place that allows air circulation, such as near an entryway, an open window, or the vent of an air conditioner.
Step 5. Place roses away from fruits and vegetables
During storage, fresh produce releases ethylene (a gaseous compound that aids in the ripening process). If you place a rose nearby, the ethylene gas that fills the surrounding air will have the same effect on the flower. Therefore, choose either a fruit bowl or a rose vase as the main decoration, not both.
- If possible, store fresh produce and other fresh foods in the refrigerator.
- On the other hand, placing roses near fruit and vegetables will make them bloom faster if you cut them while they are still in bud.
Step 6. Cut the roses in the morning
The age of the cut rose will be counted backwards when you separate the flower from the tree. So, in order not to waste time, cut the stems of ornamental roses in the morning when the water content is maximum. The warmer the weather outside, the more valuable moisture will be lost.
- If you have to cut your roses in the afternoon or evening, do so after you've watered them so the flowers have a chance to last longer.
- When buying flowers at a florist or supermarket, don't choose roses that look limp or drooping. It is possible that roses did not have the maximum water content when cut.
Step 7. Change the water in the vase every 1-3 days
The general rule is to change the water as soon as it looks cloudy, no matter how long you've been using it. Changing the water in the vase regularly prevents bacteria buildup and ensures that your roses have the fresh water they need. In addition, the whole flower arrangement will give off a fragrant aroma.
- Don't forget to add a little sugar to the freshly replaced water.
- If necessary, add water between water changes until it reaches a height of at least half a stalk.
Step 8. Cut the bottom of the stem about 2.5 cm each time you change the water
Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut the stalks diagonally. Diagonal cuts increase the surface area in contact with water. That way, thirsty roses will be able to absorb water better.
- It is important to cut the stems of roses neatly and evenly. Cutting the stalk with scissors or a blunt knife will destroy the stalk, making it difficult for water to move through the damaged cells.
- Regularly trimming flower stalks can often help cut roses last a week, or more.
Method 2 of 2: Caring for Roses in the Garden
Step 1. Plant the rosebush in well-draining soil
Loose soil allows water to be absorbed better thereby minimizing the risk of plants rotting or waterlogging. This is an important step to help your plant thrive because roses require more moisture than other types of flowers. After watering the roses, the soil should begin to dry out within a few hours.
- Most varieties of roses grow well in soil with a pH of around 5.5 to 7. You can check the pH of your soil using a soil test kit, which can be purchased at plant sales centers, greenhouses, and nursery centers.
- If you live in an area where rainfall is high and the soil is always wet all year round, consider adding a third of sand or gravel in the planting area to improve drainage.
Step 2. Increase the nutrients in the soil with organic fertilizer
Sprinkle about 5 to 7.5 cm of natural material such as garden compost, cow dung or mushrooms, or peat moss over the soil during periods of active growth. This fertilizer is a great source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients that roses need to grow healthy and thrive.
- After the first growing season, you should continue to apply fertilizer regularly every 1-2 months.
- Ask the horticulturalist at your local plant sales center or greenhouse about the most appropriate fertilizer dosage for the variety you are growing.
Step 3. Add mulch around the plant to help it retain moisture
Make a 5 to 7.5 cm layer of mulch over the entire plot, leaving about 13-15 cm of space around the base of the plant for ventilation. You can use any type of mulch available in the market or look for a product specifically made for roses.
- For a less expensive approach, try recycling garden waste such as leaves, wood chips, grass clippings, or even small stones as upholstery.
- Be prepared to replace the mulch layer once a year or whenever the old layer is thinned to less than 5 cm.
Step 4. Water the rose plant 1-2 times a day
The volume of water required depends largely on the species and size of the rose (as well as soil conditions). Ideally, you should water the soil evenly, but not until it is submerged. Then, carry out the inspection by touching the soil between watering schedules. If the soil feels dry, it's time to water it again.
- Keep in mind that potted plants will dry out faster than garden plants. That means you have to water it more often.
- Roses are plants that require a lot of water intake, but be careful not to over-water them. Excess moisture can cause problems such as wilting, disease, or root rot that can kill healthy plants.
Step 5. Remove dead flower buds (deadheads) to stimulate the growth of new shoots
When you see old flowers starting to droop or fall off, use pruning shears to trim the stems down to the first 5 bunches of leaves. Getting rid of dead and wilted flowers as soon as possible is one of the best ways to maintain the longevity and beauty of rose plants.
- Before pruning rosebushes, wear gloves that reach up to the elbows to protect hands and forearms from thorns.
- Feel free to trim any leaves, stems, or shoots that look unhealthy.
- Get in the habit of checking your rosebush every two weeks during the spring season for flowers that aren't growing at their best.
Step 6. Handle roses as soon as you see the first signs of illness
When infected with a disease, roses use their energy to fight the cause of the disease, not to grow and flower. You should monitor your roses for warning signs such as falling petals, wilting, and discoloration. After removing diseased or rotting leaves, spray the plant with a chemical or herbal fungicide to prevent the disease from developing further.
- Constant humidity is a favorable environment for harmful bacteria and fungi. You can prevent disease by planting your roses in a spot that gets plenty of sun and allows the plant to dry completely between waterings.
- Diseases that commonly attack roses are fungus, leaf rust, and black spots. This disease is often accompanied by symptoms such as black nodules or spots or warts on the underside of the leaves.
Step 7. Prune the roses during the dormant period
The best time to prune roses is in the early or late months of the year, just before the plant begins to flower. Cut off dead branches and old stems down to the part with greenish-white bark underneath, and don't be afraid to cut off unnecessary shoots. Usually a rosebush will stay safe if it is pruned about of the way, even up to of its original size.
- Just like the process of removing dead flower buds, pruning aims to cut off the parts of the plant that are not growing optimally so that new shoots can develop.
- Strategic pruning also gives you the opportunity to customize the shape and appearance of your rosebush.
Tips
- With the right care and attention, cut roses can last up to 2 weeks, and the rosebush will continue to bloom throughout the year.
- If possible, do not plant a new rosebush in a place where roses were grown. Using the same location can slow the growth of new plants and increase the risk of contracting disease due to polluted soil.
- If you are planting many rose bushes, leave about 1 meter between them to prevent pests and diseases from spreading from one plant to another.
- If you live in a cold climate, use something to cover the roses (a blanket or thick cloth) to keep them warm when temperatures drop dramatically, whether the plant is indoors or outdoors.
