A staggering four billion flowers – that’s how many Colombia ships to the US every year.

It’s not only during Valentine’s Day that florists are busy though. In fact, worldwide, it’s Christmas and Hannukah that see the most flower sales. These winter holidays account for almost a third of all sales during the holidays.

Roses are among the most sought-after flowers, and not just because of their link to romance. Their looks and scent also have a relaxing effect on the brain.

That should be good enough reason to preserve roses and keep them fresh for as long as possible.

The question now is, how exactly can you extend their lifespan? Is there any specific trick to flower preservation?

We’ve rounded up seven answers to these questions below, so be sure to read on!

1. The Type of Vase Matters

Roses are heavy blooms, with some species boasting up to 50 petals. That’s why you need to cut their stems short and place them in a shorter vase. This way, once they are completely open, their blooms won’t be hanging from too high a position.

The vase should also be big enough for each bloom to open while still supporting each other. The container should be wide enough to let the outer petals of each bloom fully open. This will give the inner petals sufficient room to spread out.

2. Remove Some of the Lower Leaves

Botrytis cinerea is a type of fungi that causes Botrytis infection. This is one of the most common fungal diseases that affect greenhouse crops. Its presence also shortens the overall vase life of fresh flowers, including roses.

Like most fungi, Botrytis cinerea needs moisture and a humidity level of about 85%. A temperature range of between 55 and 75 °F will also help promote its growth and spread. If all these factors are present, your roses are likely to develop the disease within 8 to 12 hours.

That said, one of the best ways to preserve fresh flowers, including roses, is to keep excess moisture at bay.

As such, be sure to remove the leaves from the lower part of the flower stems before you place your fresh roses in a vase. This way, there will be fewer areas that can develop a film of moisture.

3. Snip Off the End of the Stems

Just as vital as nipping excess moisture in the bud (see what we did there?) is ensuring proper water transpiration.

This is, after all, the process of moving water throughout the plant. This, in turn, hydrates and delivers nutrients to all its parts.

A key step to preserving flowers in a vase is to be sure that the ends of the stem don’t lie flat at the bottom of the container…
 
Continue reading the article and learn more about flowers on Life Is An Episode website.