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A quick guide to cut roses
Select the perfect colour of rose and make your Valentine's Day bouquet last longer with these quick tips
No flower is as much a signature of Valentine’s Day as the rose. Although “a rose by any other name may smell as sweet,” the bloom’s colour holds rich symbolism. If you’re searching for the perfect bouquet to send to your loved one, keep these colour meanings in mind as you visit your favourite florist.
Deep red, the most popular hue, represents respect, passion, courage and, above all, eternal love. Red roses can also deliver a message of “Congratulations” and “A job well done.”
Often associated with marriage and friendship, delicate pink roses are a sign of admiration and sweetness. A delivered bouquet carries the message of “You’re so kind,” “Thank you” or “I love you” in both a romantic and friendly way.
Bright yellow roses, though often seen as cheerful, can deliver mixed messages. Generally signifying friendship, they can also represent jealousy. Rapidly gaining popularity, peach roses are a perfect choice to show appreciation and gratitude.
For a bright and colourful surprise, a bouquet of roses in mixed tones can show different levels of appreciation. A combination of red and yellow will say “Congratulations” while a mix of yellow and peach says “I’m passionate about you.”
With rose colour selected, here are a few steps to follow to ensure your carefully selected gift stays vibrant:
* When buying cut roses, look for long-lasting varieties such as ‘Eliza’, ‘Reward’, ‘Valentino’, and ‘Poison’.
* Choose roses with petals just about to open so they will last longer. Petals should be springy and soft to the touch and rich in colour. Choose long stems so the flowers will stand tall in the vase and absorb more water.
* If you’re the lucky recipient of a dazzling bouquet, immediately place it, wrapper and all, in a container of lukewarm water for an hour before arranging.
* Wear gloves to protect hands from rose thorns. Consider cutting the thorn tips or stripping them with a rose stripper. This will make arranging easier as the stems won’t catch on each other.
* With sharp pruning shears, hold the rose stems under water and cut off about an inch of stem on the diagonal. This keeps the stem open to absorb water, and is crucial to prevent the roses from drooping. Don’t use scissors as they can crush the stem.
* Remove any leaves that will sit below the water line or they will encourage harmful bacteria and foul the water.
* Flower food will help roses last longer. Thoroughly dissolve the contents of a single sachet of flower preservative into two cups of fresh lukewarm water. This will also help to prevent bacterial growth.
* Keep roses in a cool, dry place; avoid direct sunlight, drafts, humidity and especially heaters or heating vents as they will cause dehydration.
* Keep the water scrupulously clean. Every two or three days, give the stems a new cut (again, under water) and replace the water. Cut fading blooms to keep the bouquet looking fresh.
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