Let's Talk about Flowers

by Will Husa

How long can a rose last?

The life of a rose is a tenuous thing. I admit that it's harder to gauge than one might expect.

There are differences in varieties, so some varieties have more longevity than others. The growers who grow the very best and healthiest roses, those are generally going to keep longer.

Then another variable would be the post-harvest handling at the grower level. That's a very important process from the time the grower cuts the rose until he grades it, bunches it, packs it in a box, and ships it.

The single most important factor in rose and other flower longevity is temperature control. So the closer that the roses are kept to actually freezing, the longer they are going to last. Every degree can make a difference. Research has shown that … if [roses] are kept at 36 degrees rather than 34, that will make a difference in how long they will last.

One of the biggest reasons that some roses won't last as long as others is not getting water. So it's vitally important that when it gets to the consumer, it's in a condition where it can get water. Usually to optimize that, the rose stem needs to be cut and placed in clear water - and ideally preservative solution -so that water gets up through the stem.

Often, roses will die at the consumer level just because water can't get up the stem, not because the rose is old. That having been said, good roses can very well last a week and give a week's enjoyment to the consumer, and certainly many of them will last longer.

Flower of the Month

The Allure of the Rose

There is unquestionably no flower as beautiful or as loved as a rose. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. More "beholders" carry, display and grow roses than any other flower. They are the undisputed favorite of growers and flower buyers alike.

Roses carry special meaning with each color. See Meaning of Each Color below.

Many gardeners consider one or several roses a must in their gardens. A properly maintained and cared for rose garden will produce blooms from June until frost. It beautifies the yard and adorns the rooms of your house while providing a light and sweet scent.

Growing roses is easy and rewarding. A mostly sunny location and a little gardening basics is all you need to get started. With a little learning you can turn your rose bushes into a perfect bush providing a profusion of roses.

Like any other form of gardening the more gardening care and information you know for the particular plant you are growing the more successful you will become.

Roses- The Meaning of Each Color

Roses come in a wide range of colors. Each different color has a different meaning. It sends a silent, yet extremely important message from the sender to receiver.

Make sure you are sending the right message when you select roses for someone, else he or she will get the wrong message!