1. Prepare the Vessel - It's important to clean the vase you plan to put your flowers in. Wash the vessel to rid it of any dirt, dust, and grime, to ensure your flowers get the best start possible.
2. Use Lukewarm Water - When you fill the vase, don't use water that's too hot or too cold. It's better to use lukewarm or room-temperature water and fill the vase 3/4 full of water.
3. Use Flower Food- These packets are made up of sugar to feed the flowers, citric acid to maintain the water's Ph balance, and bleach to keep the water clean. Dissolve the packet in the vase of water before putting the flowers in—your flowers will thank you.
Want to make your own food? 1/4 cup of lemon-lime soda, which feeds the flowers from the sugar or, A few drops of vodka reduces the production of ethylene, a ripening gas that can make roses droop
4. Remove Leaves and Guard Petals - Removing extraneous leaves and guard petals will conserve the flowers' energy. Sometimes florists leave guard petals, the outer petals on the roses, to protect them during transit. Guard petals may be slightly green or brown. Aside from the guard petals, remove leaves below the water line, if leaves sit in standing water it encourages bacterial growth. Do not remove the rose's thorns.
5. Snip the Stems - Roses need to stay hydrated, but as soon as you cut them, air bubbles form that can block water flowing into the stems, which can cause drooping. To reduce air bubbles from forming, there are a few ways to snip the stems. Either cut the rose's ends and put them in water immediately or cut them while they are in the water. Cutting the ends at a 45-degree angle will make it easier for the flowers to soak up the water and will keep them looking their best for longer.
6. Change the Water - Changing the water regularly will help keep your Roses fresh. When you change the water, be sure to remove spent leaves and petals that have fallen. Debris left in the water can rot and shorten the life of your blooms. Florists recommend changing the water every few days, especially if its cloudy, to keep the water fresh—when you do, this is a good time to re-trim the stems and add flower food to the fresh water.
7. Keep the Roses Cool - Roses like cooler temperatures overall. Whatever you do, keep flowers out of direct sunlight and away from hot or cold drafty air.
