Alvaro Baena of Golden Rose in Mississauga, Ont., a grower and supplier of roses, offers these tips for extending the life of your roses. Proper care and conditioning will allow them to flourish for a full seven days.
1. Begin with a clean vase and fill it with warm water mixed with the floral preservative included with the roses.
2. Carefully strip stems off that would lie below the waterline. Any leaves that remain in the water will rot and cause bacteria to form, which will shorten the life of your roses.
3. Use sharp florist's shears to cut the tip of each stem at least 2.5 cm (1 in) on a slant under a stream of tepid water. A slant exposes more of the stem, which allows the flower to absorb as much water as possible.
4. Once flowers have been arranged, check the water level every day. Ensure that, at a minimum, the water covers the ends of the stems completely. Refill the container with warm water as needed.
5. Place arranged flowers away from direct sunlight.
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