A few drops of bleach to kill bacteria.

OR

A few teaspoons of lemon-lime soda (the kind with sugar, not diet) because the citric acid kills the bacteria and the sugar feeds the stem.

OR

Some people add an aspirin. I have not found that one effective myself.

OR

Change the water daily and recut the stems.

What about water temperature? I've heard conflicting advice about that, some say to add ice and others that room temperature is best.

Icing them down would be a bit like getting my teenage son out of bed in the morning; tedious and continuous. But great idea, though.

I remember those, though, Hoov; I have one of those cutting jars that submerses the stem to cut under water for long lasting blooms. Paid a bit for it but worth it. Still hope to meet a fellow rosarian.

Thank you for the suggestions. Any others?

Beth

I think the most important things to keep in mind are (1) make sure that the entire plant has been watered well BEFORE cutting roses, and (2) avoid cutting during the hottest part of the day.

I have a trio of friends who are fierce rose exhibitors. It's interesting (as well as mildly entertaining) to hear them argue about when to cut a rose (morning or evening), and how best to treat a rose immediately after it's cut. Since each of the radically different methods seems to work for its individual proponent, I've concluded that it doesn't make a lot of difference.

My personal method is to get the rose into warmish water as quickly as possible, re-cut it under water if convenient, add sugar and a trace of bleach to the vase, and change the water at least every other day as long as the rose(s) remain attractive.

For cutting, there is no flower that surpasses. A little off the subject (but this is my thread) the reason I grow roses is for the fabulous feeling I had this afternoon, after the last of the 16 I have room for was planted. "Better than S*x" as they say. The first half were J & P bareroots; April in Paris looks just like the potted roses I bought from Armstrong, which comprise the second half.

Monday, four of the bareroots hadn't broke dormancy. Today one has long red nubs, a second more than just swollen eyes, and the other two. One, Gemini, if you can believe it, has nothing, but the second, Beauty Within has signs of red. We have the east coast's cool air, it is barely breaking 70 here. The roses (and my wardrobe) are confused.

It is a godlike feeling. Sublime. Maybe I could fit one more pot. Nahhh.

You are the only ones I could share this with, who would understand. I hope I never face a world with out you, and roses, again.

Beth

I put them in cool dark place for at least an hour--our basement.

Wow--bareroots breaking dormancy in July!

I have a cut flower business with the flowers I grow. My method is t take a bucket of hot tap water with sugar and bleach (1 gal water, 2 T sugar, 1 tsp bleach) to the garden, cut the rose and put it immediately into the hot water. After I have finished picking the bucket goes in the coolest spot available. I usually pick in the evening, and before I go to bed the bucket is put in a small refrigerator I use just for flowers, and left there over night. THe flowers are arranged the next morning. This method works well on dahlias also, except that they do not like being refrigerated. They will do well in the coolest basement or shade of a building. The hot water followed by cooling seems to help set the petals on the flowers.

DO not put flowers in a refrigerator that has fruits or vegetables in it.

When I gardened in the southwest for a few years I learned a very helpful bit of info in an article written by Robert Martin, who gardens somewhere in CA (Pasadena, I think) where the ground water is alkaline. He made reference to studies demonstrating that cut roses draw in acidic water much more easily/rapidly than alkaline water. He strongly recommended adding a bit of vinegar or citric acid to water having a pH of 6 or higher. I knew my water in NM was alkaline, so I followed his advice & found that doing so did extend vase life.