Too Much of a Good Thing

 

"EXTENDING THE LIFE OF CUT ROSES"    

by Ed Bradley

 

 

We have told you that, with a little TLC, you can have tremendous roses during the Fall season.  In order to realize the most benefit of those great blooms, here are some practical hints to help you extend the life of the cut roses, and thus extend the enjoyment of your rewards:

·         Sharpen your shears.  Crushed stems block tiny stem vessels that transport water to the bloom, causing early wilting and tissue decay.

·         Clean containers with bleach.  If the vase or bucket is simply rinsed and left to dry, the bacteria live on and multiply.

·         In addition to buckets and vases, coolers should be regularly cleaned with a disinfectant.  Wiping with a baking soda solution works.

·         Cut the blooms in the early morning (8 –