Also, just out of curiousity, what rose(s) do you cut for the “indoor bouquets?
Answer Flowers have different requirements for vase life. Some just won’t last. Among Roses, several are infamous for their tendency to drop petals before you even walk across the yard to the house. Make sure your Rose is not one of those! Timing is crucial. Cut in the morning. You’ll get the best fragrance and vase life. Blooms that are almost fully open will do best. I use a razor blade to slice the stems with minimal damage. A clean, perfect cut will readily take up water from the vase. If possible, the cut will leave three leaves on the stem. Plunge the Roses as you cut them into a bucket of warm water. Cutting them under water is best — it keeps air pockets from entering the stem and slowing water uptake. Make sure there are no leaves below the water line; bacteria will grow, the leaves will rot, and bloom life will be shortened considerably. There are as many formulas for preserving Roses as there are recipes for brownies. There’s the usual packets of floral preservative. Some p
