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All roses are beautiful, but a little bit of care will ensure you get the beautiful, high quality roses your sweetheart deserves. If possible, shop for roses in person. That way you will know exactly what your paying for. Price may not always be an indication of quality.
Look for roses with petals that are just starting to unfurl. They should be "springy" and soft to the touch. Look for good rich color.
Stems should be straight and strong so the rose will stand high. This will also help the rose take up water.
Rose Care Tips
These simple tips may double or triple the life of your fresh cut roses.
Roses are always thirsty so water them daily.
If your roses come delivered and arranged in foam (oasis), add water immediately, but slowly and thoroughly to saturate the foam. Then add water as needed to keep the foam saturated.
If your roses are delivered loose in a box, keep them in a cool location until they can be arranged in water. Never put roses in the freezer.
When arranging roses, remove all the foliage that will be below the water line. Be careful not to scrape the green stems. Cut off about 1 inch of each stem with a sharp knife or pruners. If possible, make the cut under running water or submerged in water. Immediately place the roses in a water-filled container or vase. Never let the cut ends dry out. You can re-cut stems as needed.
Water temperature should be slightly warm (about 96 degrees F).
Use a floral preservative.
Keep roses out of drafts and away from heating vents. Take them into your bedroom at night. This will keep them cool and dark and they will give you a colorful and scented awakening!
The Language of Rose Colors
Red: Courage, love, and respect
Pink: Gentle and graceful
Deep Pink: Thank You
Light Pink: Admiration
White: Innocence, purity, you're heavenly, secrecy, and silence
Yellow: Joy and Happiness
Red and White together: Unity or an engagement
Bouquet (mixed colors): Gratitude
Tight Red Rose Buds: Purity, beauty, and innocent love
Aloe
Great tips Elena. I also learned from a seller of roses, that if you pinch the very top of the rose bud, you can tell if the rose has been placed in the cooler too long and the closed petals is an illusion to freshness. If it is soft, pass on them. But if you feel they have a hardness, they are fresh.
Elena
Wonderful tip, Aloe. I know we have all been disappointed when the expensive roses we were given just promptly drooped and died and never even opened up at all.
