My cousin, David gave my mother some roses a couple of weeks ago. He apologized that they were actually not in the best condition.Some of the leaves were a little brittle, but otherwise, they were gorgeous. Each bud looked so perfect that they almost looked artificial. Mom was instantly captivated, but she wanted me to take care of them. She didn't feel confident about caring for such beautiful blooms.
I put them in water, cut the stems in a slant with a sharp knife and removed the broken leaves. I also added a little bit of flower fertilizer to the water that came with some other flowers we bought a long time ago. A few minutes later, the more withered leaves perked right up. The roses looked as fresh as if we'd just picked them.
Every day or two, I cut the stems and changed the water. After a week, the buds opened up a bit more. Some of the petals had edges that were a little blackened. I just pulled it off, removed all the leaves and added some other foliage. I also cut the stems so they got shorter and shorter. I put the roses on mom's table where she could admire them whenever she watched TV. We were all amazed at how long they lasted.
It seems to me that years ago, roses died within a few days of getting them. I now see that with proper care, they can last over a week.
I once bought a dozen pink roses for a friend's office. I cut the stems like you described and put some packaged freshener in them. They lasted almost two weeks, looking more beautiful every day until every last petal had fallen. So yes, they can last a long while.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this post. My roses always die almost immediately so I don't like to buy them. I'll try your method. Your photos are truly gorgeous
ReplyDeleteLove and Peace
Manzanita
Your mom also seems to be as resilient and beautiful as those roses. It must be the tender loving care that you and Art give her.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely picture of your Mom.
ReplyDeleteI just learned yesterday from a garden show the importance of giving a plant completely fresh water each day. Can't wait to try it.
They are too pretty to let wither before their time.
That's a gorgeous roses and you take very good care of them! Inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the water is a key to keep cut flowers fresh:)
ReplyDeleteNicely done, Kay. I often pick up on sale, older flowers. I just feel sorry for them, unloved, unwanted!!! :-Q
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to swear by adding an aspirin to a vase of cut flowers - this was before the days of the little packets sometimes added these days - and it used to work a treat, as well as the other things you've described which she also used to do. I'm afraid I'm often too lazy to look after them properly, though I must admit that I'm not generally that keen on cut flowers. I love them at this time of year though, as a promise of spring.
ReplyDeletemy flowers -- anthuriums, carnations, amaryllises -- last more than 2 weeks without changing the water or adding fertilizer. I don't even trim the stems daily. All I do is ADD water to the vase when it gets low.
ReplyDeletewhat's up with that? Are flowers simply hardier?
Kay, isn't that just so true about everything else in life? With proper care... I do all the steps you mentioned when I first get the roses (not too often)...except I never repeat the process of trimming them once I put them in the vase.
ReplyDeletelovely roses and they are in your header too-impressive. your skills never end...
ReplyDeleteTender loving care - that seems to be the rule in your home.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful - I love roses, particularly velvety red ones.
ReplyDeleteYou are a whiz with flowers, as you are with many things, it seems. The roses are gorgeous and your mom is just so darn cute! (I miss my mother. I think it shows.)
ReplyDeleteDid you tell your cousin that your mother was able to enjoy his gift for such a long time?
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Sometimes people were heard to say that an aspirin would keep any flowers looking nice longer. I was young. Flowers were flowers. I can't say, for sure, one way or the other, if it is true.
ReplyDeleteRoses have a way of brightening a day and making everything seem a little bit better. Red roses are my favorite and yours are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the "secret."
ReplyDeleteAloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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They were beautiful roses!!
ReplyDeleteI've been discovering this myself how long flowers last if you take care of them. Lovely photo of your Mom and of the roses, and a sweet gift from David.
ReplyDeleteThe roses are beautiful but your Mom looks so beautiful next to them!!! That was a sweet gift from David for her.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift to give your mom from David. I think they are very lovely. I also think Roses are the most perfect of all flowers. Thank you for coming by, have a nice week.
ReplyDeleteAll they need is love, attention, and a little plant food. The roses Amoeba got me for Valentine's Day 2010 lasted almost 2 weeks -- each day there were fewer roses until finally only one remained.
ReplyDeleteYes, cutting them with a knife rather than scissors, which compress the stems, is a great idea. Those roses look beautiful and your mom looks so pleased!
ReplyDeleteThese roses are really gorgeous and very strong too, but then you have a way with treating them properly with love and care.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful roses. I especially like the photo of the single rose, just stunning. I always cut off the leaves that are under water and like you, cut the stems at a slant. I have heard an aspirin (sorry, don't know the doseage!)will help keep flowers perky. How nice the roses have lasted as long as they have so your mom can enjoy them.
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