Origin, Sentiment and Care of Red Roses

Through fossil evidence, roses have existed since prehistoric times.  In Asian gardens, more than 5,000 years ago, the first cultivated roses appeared. Roses were introduced to Europe during the Roman Empire where they were used for ornamental purposes. According to historians, Cleopatra is said to have scattered rose petals before Mark Anthony's feet.  Nero released roses from the ceiling during extravagant feasts and banquets that were held.

The rose is the flower emblem of England. According to English folklore, if the petals fall from a fresh-cut red rose then bad luck was sure to ensue. The red rose is the badge of the House of Lancaster and the flower of Eros and Cupid.

Exquisite and radiant in every way, the red rose is the principal messenger of love. A single rose denotes perpetual love.  Two roses of any color taped or wired together signify a commitment or forthcoming marriage. Red Roses are the most popular flower in expressing love and have been the sentiment of young gents throughout the world.  Making your heartfelt red roses last the longest is not always easy.  After receiving your roses always remove any water vials that may have been shipped with your roses.

These provide only a temporary water source during delivery and will not keep your roses but for a short period. However, is it not wise to remove floral wires that may have been attached to individual rose stems. These provide helpful support for some roses. Remove any leaves that will be below water, being careful not to scrape or cut through the green bark of the stems. Air can enter stems at such injuries blocking water uptake.

Leaves left under water will cause bacteria to develop and will significantly shorten the life of your roses not to mention the horrid odor that will come forth.  When preparing your vase, always use lukewarm water and be sure to use a clean container.  For best results, include floral preservative if at all possible. Mix the preservative with room temperature water, in the amount recommended on the package. Floral preservative provides sugars, balances pH, and limits bacterial growth.

When preparing your red roses for arrangement, fill a sink or wide container with several inches of warm water. While holding each stem under water, cut about one inch diagonally off the end with a sharp knife or shears. Make sure to place the roses in your container before the stems dry off. Gently remove any outermost petals that may have been bruised during shipping. Removing a few petals will not damage a blossom and will often help it open more fully. Just be careful not to force open or take off healthy petals.

Display your roses in a cool location, out of direct sunlight or drafts.  Check your arrangement daily to make sure it has plenty of clear, fresh water. If the water appears dirty after a couple of days be sure to replace it completely.
If some roses should start to droop their heads prematurely, it could be due to air trapped in the stems. Recut the stems underwater as described previously. Then let the roses float on the water surface with the stem ends below water and the rose heads in an upright position. In many cases, the roses will revive and harden within about an hour.  It is certainly worth a try to keep your roses lasting longer. 

With care, your red roses will bloom quickly and should stay open anywhere from 5 to 10 days for your enjoyment.