Whether you’ve just received a surprise delivery from a loved one or are treating yourself, a rose bouquet adds a touch of timeless elegance to any space. Our time with these beauties is limited, so it’s important to take measures to maximize their vase lives. With the proper care and attention, your roses can last over two weeks – just follow these simple steps.
How to Prepare your Rose Bouquet
1. Carefully remove the packaging.
Upon arrival, don’t keep your roses waiting! Open the box and remove the canvas bag and hydration sponge to start preparation as soon as possible.
Every April & Ashley bouquet comes in a canvas bag and an Arrive Alive sponge wrapped around the end of the stems. This keeps your roses from getting too thirsty during their journey to their new home. We recommend saving the bag to dry the petals if you wish to do so!
2. Cut each stem 1 inch from the bottom at a 45-degree angle.
We recommend using pruners instead of scissors. Your average pair of scissors can crush the roses’ capillaries and prevent them from uptaking water. If you don’t have pruners available, use the highest-quality kitchen scissors with sharp blades.
Cut confidently! The quicker the snip, the cleaner the cut, the happier and healthier the rose will be.
3. Remove guard petals and prune extra foliage.
Your roses’ journey from farm to doorstep can be stressful. When you receive your bouquet, you might notice some discolored or wilted petals on the outer parts of the roses. Don’t worry! These are just “guard petals” that form as a layer of protection from the outside elements they may encounter during their travels. They will eventually become hidden once the roses start to open, but you may remove them gently if you wish.
Remove any leaves that could be submerged underwater before placing your roses in the vase. This will prevent bacterial growth and give them the best chance at a long and happy life.
4. Choose your vase.
Just like us humans, roses need their space! Allow them to bloom to their fullest potential by choosing a vase that’s large enough for adequate air circulation.
Create an environment where bacteria don’t stand a chance by giving your vase a good wash with warm, soapy water. When it’s sparkling clean, fill it about ¾ full with room-temperature water.
5. Add flower food to your vase water.
With your April & Ashley bouquet, you’ll find a secret weapon that’ll give your roses the energy boost they need to stay fresher for longer – flower food. Refer to the instructions on the packet for the proper serving size. Typically, a few teaspoons per liter of water is the sweet spot. Stir well so that the granules dissolve completely.
For the DIY-ers, you can easily make your own flower food! Simply dissolve 3 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar per quart of warm water.
6. Place your roses in your vase and arrange to your liking.
Mix things up by cutting your roses at different heights. This not only makes for an interesting arrangement, but more importantly, avoids overcrowding.
Finding the Perfect Location
It’s time to put your rose bouquet on display. It’s important to keep a few criteria in mind when choosing the best spot. Make sure to place your bouquet:
- In a cool area
- Out of direct sunlight
- Away from heating and air conditioning vents
While planted and potted roses thrive off of several hours of sunlight, the same isn’t true for cut roses. They need to stay cool and hydrated, and putting them in direct sunlight or drafty areas can dry them out prematurely.
Ongoing Care & Preservation
Nurture your roses and extend their vase lives by giving them a fresh cut, replacing their water, and feeding them every couple of days. Just like when you received them, trim at a slight angle about an inch from the bottom of the stem.
With a rose bouquet, a little love goes a long way. Regularly replacing the water, trimming, and pruning will encourage growth and stop bacteria in their tracks. Give your roses the attention they deserve and they will reward you with fresh, longer-lasting blooms.
The April & Ashley family wishes you and your roses a beautiful journey together.
At April & Ashley, every fresh-cut bouquet is meticulously curated to deliver the finest, most fragrant, and freshest roses straight to your home. Our seasonal florals are nurtured with the utmost care and serve as a living tribute to our family’s passion, dedication, and craft.
Browse our selection of thoughtfully handpicked rose bouquets.