How To Cut A Rose For Display – Bringing The Joy Indoors! #
What is the best type of rose for cutting and arranging? #
Hybrid Tea Roses are generally the best for cutting and arranging for several reasons. Firstly, they are bred to have single, large flowers, on strong and sturdy stems. Additionally, many varieties of hybrid tea roses have beautiful fragrances, meaning all your senses can enjoy your rose arrangement! From a more practical point of view, hybrid teas are bush roses meaning that you won’t be reaching up too high to try and cut the perfect flower.
When To Cut A Rose #
For Hybrid Tea Roses, the best time to cut them for display would be when the buds show their first hint of colour and the petals start to unfurl but before they have opened fully.
If they’re cut too soon, the bud may not open in the vase and if they are cut after the rose has completely opened, it unfortunately may not last very long.
Ideally you would want to do this in the morning before the heat of the day arrives or late evening when the blooms are coolest. You want to catch them when they are fully hydrated.
How To Cut A Rose #
- Using sharp, clean Rose Pruners, cut the stem just above a leaf node, and at a 45ΒΊ angle (this avoids it sitting flat against the bottom of the vase). Try to keep as much length as possible, you can always cut to size later!
- It is ideal to strip off any leaves that may sit below the waterline to give the roses their best chance of avoiding any bacteria that might occur.
- You will want to hydrate your rose in a clean container with room temperature water (cold water can shock the stems) immediately after cutting.
- Once you’re finished with the first cut, you may want to go in for a second cut, just an inch or so whilst under running water to ensure there are no air bubbles in the water uptake channels.
- You can now arrange as you please! Your roses are now ready to brighten up any room in your home, with the added bonus of a beautiful scent with some varieties.
Keep Your Cut Roses Fresh #
Using the above tips and avoiding bacteria where possible ensures your roses will last as long as they naturally can. Try to keep out of direct sunlight as cut flowers last longer when kept cool.
We would advise using flower feed and keeping a daily eye on the water levels, topping up if it seems too low. Its a good idea to swap the water out every 2 days or so, adding flower feed again and giving the stems another trim if you feel necessary. This will keep those blooms looking fabulous for longer.
Homemade Cut Rose Feed #
There is a range of food available to help keep your cut flowers looking their best, but why not try this easy homemade mix:
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of household bleach
Mix these ingredients in with the room temperature water in your vase and give a good stir, and then you’re good to go! The sugar helps give the rose energy, the vinegar/lemon juice will lower the pH levels in the water improving water uptake and the bleach will work as a disinfectant to keep bacteria at bay.
Now you can sit back and enjoy the view!
