Why does a rose stay alive?

Answer 1

A cut rose (and most other cut flowers) are in the process of dying as soon as they are cut from the main plant. However, a rose can last up to two weeks with a little TLC. Florist quality cut flower food (CFF) offers three things that help extend the life of cut flowers: a bacteriacide, a pH adjuster and sucrose which the flower uses for food when removed from the plant . Always ask for a packet of CFF whenever you purchase cut flowers. The only cut flowers that do not need the CFF are spring bulb flowers such as tulips, hyacinth and iris. However, they do still benefit from the bacteriacide and the pH adjuster. Cut bulb flowers contain food in their leaves, so never remove all the leaves from them. An interesting thing about cut bulb flowers is that because they contain their own food source in their leaves, they are the only flowers to actually continue to grow for a time after being removed from the main plant. A tulip may actually grown an additional 2" after it's cut.

If a rose droops it's because the flower head is not receiving water. This is due to a blockage in the stem, either from an 'air embolism' (air bubble) or a plug of bacteria. Cut off 1/2-1" from the stem end and place the flower into a container of fresh treated water (with CFF). Support the bend head to keep it straight or else the water may not get past the kink in the stem. Allow the rose to re-hydrate like this for 1-2 hours, then replace into the arrangement.