Nothing’s more synonymous with Valentine’s Day than roses (chocolate comes close), but the flowers get a bad rap for being boring. They’re far from it, though, especially if you take the time to prepare the blooms, whether for yourself or a special someone. Shelling out serious dollars on a florist-arranged bouquet isn’t necessary; grocery store…
Bring a dozen store-bought roses to life — and keep them alive longer — with a few easy steps. Scroll on to learn how to transform inexpensive roses from blah to beautiful, both this Valentine’s Day and all year long.
1. Prep the Stems
First, remove any leaf that would sit below the vase’s waterline. If leaves are submerged in water, they’ll create bacteria that will shorten the lifespan of your flowers. Next, trim the stems at a 45-degree angle using floral shears or a sharp knife. Using regular scissors to cut rose stems can crush the vessels that deliver water and nutrients to the head. This step should be repeated every two to three days, cutting off about an inch each time. Doing so helps the stems absorb water better and reduces bacteria buildup.
Note: When working with roses, it’s best to wear gardening gloves. They’ll spare your hands from painful thorn pricks.
2. Fluff the Petals
Though it may pain you to pull off petals, remove the guard petals — the outer layer of petals that protect the rest of the rose. Guard petals are often bruised, wilted, or have black edges due to a variety of environmental factors, including frost or sun damage. Removing guard petals is mostly done for aesthetic purposes, but discarding the decaying ones can help protect the bloom from bacterial harm.
Once you reveal the fresh petals underneath, gently stretch two layers of petals back to make the roses look fuller. Work with room temperature roses, since their flexibility makes them easier to bend and reduces the risk of tearing petals. Use a soft touch, too, to minimize bruising.
3. Keep It Cool
Place your arrangement in a tall vase filled about three-quarters full with lukewarmcool water mixed with a teaspoon of white granulated sugar or flower food. (Lukewarm water is best as it effectively dissolves solvents while preventing shock to the blooms.) Display the roses in a cool spot away from direct sunlight, heat sources such as radiators or fireplaces, and appliances that generate heat. To extend their lifespan, you can refrigerate roses in their vessel overnight or store them in a cold garage. The sweet spot is between 33 and 37 degrees Fahrenheit, which helps preserve the roses’ freshness by slowing down their respiration rate — the rate at which they consume their food reserves to stay alive.
Even store-bought roses can resemble a professionally-arranged bouquet with a little help. Start with two roses in your hand, crisscrossing their stems. Add roses one at a time, alternating between each side to create a neat arrangement. Style to your liking, then enjoy your beautiful blooms.
