ROSE CUT STEPS
A guide for preserving fresh cut roses. Clearly explained in a 6-step procedure to keep those blooms lasting longer. read more

RECUTTING ROSE STEMS UNDER WATER GIVES LONGER VASE LIFE
When you cut a rose from the plant, you sever it from its life support system. And, as soon as the cut is made, the rose, like an astronaut without a temporary life support system, is in trouble. The components of the life support system for the cut rose, which it obtained from the plant before the cut was made, are: nutrients, sugar, cool temperatures, anti-aging compounds, and most importantly, Water

All these ingredients of the life support system are dependent on a continuous and ample supply of water since they are all soluble, or carried into the rose in water. Research has shown that a molecule of water can move from the base of a 24-inch cut rose to the petals in 30-seconds or less. Such movement occurs when the cut rose is in the light at room temperatures.

The cells in the stem of a rose, which carry the water, are like a handful of soda straws. As long as the straws are in a glass of water, you can draw water up through them. Take them out of the water while sucking on the straw, and you draw up air. The rose stem does the same thing as its demand for water is continuous even when severed from the mother plant. The big difference is, however, that the cells in the rose stem have "end plates" or small screens that allow water to pass, but block the passage of air. A small bubble of air is formed and trapped at the end of the rose stem when it is cut from the plant. Of course, with the base of the stem blocked with air, more water cannot get up the stem even if you replace that stem in water. In short, the rose is very near its life support system but cannot get to it.

Another phenomenon that shortens vase life occurs when....read more