RECUTTING ROSE STEMS UNDER WATER GIVES LONGER VASE LIFE
By Charlie Farricielli from RoseFarm.com Buy Farm Fresh Grower Direct
When you cut a rose from the plant, you sever it from its life support system. And, as soon as the cut is made, the rose, like an astronaut without a temporary life support system, is in trouble. The components of the life support system for the cut rose, which it obtained from the plant before the cut was made, are: nutrients, sugar, cool temperatures, anti-aging compounds, and most importantly, Water
All these ingredients of the life support system are dependent on a continuous and ample supply of water since they are all soluble, or carried into the rose in water. Research has shown that a molecule of water can move from the base of a 24-inch cut rose to the petals in 30-seconds or less. Such movement occurs when the cut rose is in the light at room temperatures.
The cells in the stem of a rose, which carry the water, are like a handful of soda straws.
As long as the straws are in a glass of water, you can draw water up through them. Take them out of the water while sucking on the straw, and you draw up air. The rose stem does the same thing as its demand for water is continuous even when severed from the mother plant.
The big difference is, however, that the cells in the rose stem have "end plates" or small screens that allow water to pass, but block the passage of air. A small bubble of air is formed and trapped at the end of the rose stem when it is cut from the plant. Of course, with the base of the stem blocked with air, more water cannot get up the stem even if you replace that stem in water.
In short, the rose is very near its life support system but cannot get to it.
Another phenomenon that shortens vase life occurs when a rose is removed from the plant, and sugars which move from the leaves down to the root continue to flow for a short time, but as the flower is cut from the plant, they have no place to go. These sugars can move across the cut surface of the stem, and be drawn up into the water conducting cells where, they can crystallize (become solid) and block the water conducting cells. This is particularly true if air has moved into these cells first. In the case of air or sugar blockage (or combination of both) the life-giving supply of water is cut off, or seriously reduced, and the rose could wilt and die, even if it is placed in water!
Fortunately, both air and sugar blockage of the rose stem are restricted to the first one-half inch of the stem from the base cut.
Simply recutting the base of the stem removes the block and gives the rose a chance to get rehooked up to its life support water system. To avoid letting the base of the stem "gulp" in another air bubble when the new cut is made, however, we suggest the recutting procedure take place under water. Using a sharp knife or shears, with the base of the stem under water in a pan or sink, OR, by simply holding the stem end under running when the cut is made, you insure a water supply to the rose. Once the cut is made under water, a small droplet of water hangs on the cut end, so you can then safely move the stem to the vase with water where you plan to show off your handsome blooms.
Care must be taken that the cut end of the stem doesn\'t dry off before it reaches its new water supply, however, On Reviving a Wilted Rose
Occasionally a rose will wilt, or develop a weak stem just below the bud, causing the bloom to tip over. If you will remove that bloom from the arrangement, recut about one-inch from the base of the stem (under water, of course), then submerge the entire bloom, stem, and foliage under water for twenty-minutes or so, you will find the flower revives nicely and can be replaced in the arrangement.
When reviving a rose in this matter, we suggest the water be about 100 Fahrenheit, and that you be sure to straighten the angle of the head or it will revive with "bent Neck.". For long-stemmed roses, a couple inches of water in the bottom of your bathtub works well as a place you can lay the bloom out flat under water. (And if you are in the water-starved west you can follow rose revival with a bath yourself. Do remove the rose before you jump in, however, as the thorns are hard on your feet, and the soap is hard on the rose.)
Flower Food Helps, Too
The vase life of your roses can be increased by 30 to 50 percent if you ask Rosefarm.com for a packet of floral preservative or "flower food" as it is sometimes called. Using this material in the vase water, according to directions on the packet, or from Rosefarm.com, will keep your roses in good condition much longer. Remember, too, don't place your roses in direct sunlight, in front of a heat or air conditioning register, or in a very warm room. They don't like a lot of heat and drafts. If convenient, we suggest you put your roses in a cool, dark place at night. This will slow their opening, and keep them fresh for your enjoyment much longer.
