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Making cut roses last longer

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Primrose
Primrose Posts: 10,621 Forumite
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Any tips for getting those lovely bunches of roses in bud to last longer? I was given some recently and most of them failed to break open into full flower and just died in bud. I tried cutting and splitting the stems but it had little effect. I wonder if it's partly connected with room temperature. .

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  • littlepinkbiscuits
    littlepinkbiscuits Posts: 105 Forumite
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    I put all cut flowers into lukewarm water with half a teaspoon of sugar dissolved in, I've had flowers last for almost a month that way. You do need to change the water about once a week though.

    Cut at least an inch off the stems and plunge them into the water quickly, this seems to help as well.

    Yes, could be down to drastic temperature differences at this time of year.
  • SailorSam
    SailorSam Posts: 22,754 Forumite
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    When you're cutting the stems you do it at an angle, that gices more room for the slower to 'suck up' water. And put some lime juice in the water.
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  • peachyprice
    peachyprice Posts: 22,346 Forumite
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    I put a teaspoon of sugar and a dash of bleach in mine, works a treat. I got some YS roses for 50p in Tesco a few weeks ago, they lasted 10 days using sugar & bleach and cutting as Sam suggests.
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  • lazer
    lazer Posts: 3,402 Forumite
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    As above, sugar in the water and cut the stems.


    Secondly - don't put them on a window sill at night - its too cold
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  • AnnieO1234
    AnnieO1234 Posts: 1,722 Forumite
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    Here's what I do:

    Disinfect the vase, any bacteria will rot your flowers.

    Cut then with the sharpest knife possible, do not use scissors you just crush the xylem tubes and prevent the flower taking up water.

    Dip in boiling water until no air bubbles are coming up.

    Straight into cold water.

    Give them flower feed (commercial flower feeds in bottles are good value).

    Finally I spray with a preserver spray, cost about £5 when I did my wedding bouquet and still have same bottle.

    Every couple of days change the water then check for and dispose of any rotting foliage.

    I can keep yellow stickered flowers (roses, lilies etc) for a good couple of weeks or more with this method.

    Xxx
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