Nature has a way of appreciating our feelings, and that is why things like roses grow from it. A rose flower is an extraordinary plant that arouses innermost feelings in human beings. Right from the good looks and the delicious scent to effortless growth, roses are indeed a perfect creation. Even the mention of roses stirs some feelings. As you can see, roses tick all the right boxes.

However, they appear to be complex plants to comprehend. For starters, there appear to be more than 100 rose plant species with thousands of varieties and different colors. How they grow and their requirements slightly differ from the other, therefore, making it quite daunting to choose the right rose. How long do roses last? Most people wonder. Read on to find out what you can do to keep your roses alive.

Factors that Affect How Long Roses Last

Roses bring out the best emotions in a loved one. Most people would wish they don’t wilt after a week of having them. Fortunately, there is a way to achieve this. However, you have to put in mind what might affect the durability of roses. The type, quality, and time the rose was cut greatly determine how long they last.

Newly cut roses go for about a week or so when appropriately handled. Avoid leaving the stalk on before putting them in a vase. Also, please don’t put your roses in water immediately after cutting them as this may kill the flowers in hours. Here are some of the ways to increase the lifespan of your roses.

How to Make Roses Last Longer

When you decide to hold on to your rose bouquet, ensure to keep them as good as new with the following techniques.

•       Reducing the stem: cut about two inches of the stem diagonally using a clean and sharp knife. This allows for better water absorption in the vase.
•       Trimming the leaves: Pruning submerged leaves inhibits the bacteria decay that deters absorption. You can also get rid of the outermost petals of the rose to wholly open up and heighten the appearance.
•       Maintain cleanliness: use antiseptic soap and warm water to clean your vase, then fill it with room temperature water before placing your bouquet. Throw in some flower food and stir. This nourishes the flowers and inhibits bacteria rot. Replace whenever it gets cloudy.
•       Store properly: keep the rose bouquet from direct sunlight and heat to avoid drying. Minimize fan usage and opening the windows to prevent dehydration.

Short-term Preservation

Other ways to lengthen the lifespan of roses include using a few drops of bleach, vodka, a mixture of apple cider vinegar and sugar, and aspirin solution. These techniques either hydrate the flowers or inhibit bacteria growth. Some florists store the flowers in fridges as the cold temperatures are conducive to maintaining freshness. This then slows down the aging process. Copper coins in water act as acidifiers that aid in fighting bacteria growth. These are some of the short-term methods of keeping your roses alive.

Long-term Preservation Techniques

Long-term preservation, however, involves drying your blooms. You can achieve this by trying the following.

•       Hang them facing down and ensure the area is dry and well-ventilated.
•       Wrap the bouquet in a paper towel and heat them in a microwave for about three minutes or until they dry. Then keep the petals in a sealed container.
•       Use sand to remove all the moisture in the petals by burying them.
•       Spread fresh petals in direct sunlight until they dry out.
•       Place your petals down on paper and stack a heavy book/s or object. Keep pressing them down until completely dry and flat.

Conclusion

Don’t we all want to hold on to our roses for a little while longer? Well, this is achievable when you follow the above steps and see your wishes come to life.