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Designer Roses for Mother's Day
| Article
# : |
19849 |
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Section : |
LIFE
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| Issue
Date : |
5 / 1991 |
1,538 Words |
| Author
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Karen Karvonen
Karen Karvonen is a garden writer based in Denver. |
It's Mother's Day and you've decided to hand-deliver a dozen long-stem roses. Mom is thrilled with her flowers and rushes off to find a vase.
As you cut the stalks on the countertop and try to arrange them in the tall crystal vase, you have misgivings. Instead of fanning out gracefully from the center, the bouquet flops awkwardly over the rim of the vase.
Mom, of course, doesn't mind, but you do. You vow to spruce up your presentation next year but feel a bit intimidated by the thought of creating your own arrangement.
The good news is anyone equipped with a few basic tips on flower preparation and design can craft a pleasing arrangement. In the following, you'll learn not only how to ensure the longevity of your bouquet and how to display the buds, but also how to match your arrangement and vase to best complement your mother's home décor.
Hardening the Roses
"If you're cutting your own flowers, choose roses that are in various stages of development, from buds to partially opened blooms," says John Ray, manager of the High Country Rosarium in Denver. "Cut in the early hours of the morning or in the evening, when the humidity is higher and temperatures are cooler, so the plant is not water stressed. Roses cut near midday will wilt quickly."
What if the dozen roses come from the florist? Proceed to the next step. Strip off the lower leaves and the thorns. Under lukewarm water cut an inch off the ends at an angle and split the stems. Immediately immerse the bouquet in water, taking care not to submerge the remaining leaves. Let the stems absorb water for several hours or overnight in a cool place. This procedure, sometimes called hardening, will prolong the life of your roses.
Ray says underwater cutting prevents the stem, which is still respiring, from sucking in an air bubble. "Allowing that bubble to form causes a sort of vapor-lock condition that prevents the plant from taking in water. Splitting the stem creates more surface area so the roses can drink more easily. And the more you can encourage your roses to imbibe, the longer they will last."
Many people use a commercial preparation such as Flora-Life to sterilize the water and provide
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