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| I've often read things like, "'Heritage' is a nice rose in the garden, but it shatters immediately after being cut." Well, last night I retired a cut 'Heritage' that was fine for 4 whole days, 96 hours. That's in plain water with no special treatment. It's counter-intuitive, but, in most cases, very double roses with short central petals will open faster and more easily than hybrid teas with a lot of long petals. This means the cupped and rosette types should be cut at an earlier stage. Try cutting as soon as the sepals have dropped, if you cut in the early morning. Or, if you cut in the evening, cut when the sepals have dropped and outer petals have loosened just slightly. (Roses do most of their opening around mid-morning.) Naturally, this rule of thumb won't apply to every variety, so try with one bud at first and adjust if it doesn't open. Extra-fat buds may need some extra time as well. Single and semi-double roses are best cut before the sepals have dropped, when the sepals are splitting and showing some petal between. By cutting earlier, you can expect to get at least three days in the vase with most OGR and Austin roses. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Thanks for the advice! I don't cut roses very often (my garden needs them), but I'll try to remember this. Folly |
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- Posted by PortlandMysteryRose 8 (My Page) on Wed, May 21, 14 at 13:46
| Thank you, Michael. I'll be bold and cut early just after sepals drop. I've been far too conservative and my roses have never lasted long in a vase. I think I subconsciously leave them on the plant as long as possible because I want to have my cake in the garden and enjoy it in the vase as well. Carol |
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- Posted by Sidos-House 7 NC (My Page) on Wed, May 21, 14 at 20:46
| This is helpful, Michael. Thanks. It's good to see you again! I'm the same as Carol and cut too late. That's a sign that we need more roses. |
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| I just began this year doing what you suggested, Michael, and was surprised that the roses opened. As you said it always seemed counterintuitive to do it that way but I fell into it almost by accident this year and then was surprised how many roses responded well to that treatment. Rather exciting, really. Ingrid |
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- Posted by harborrose 8-Puget Sound/PNW (My Page) on Wed, May 21, 14 at 22:06
| Mine get cut even earlier than what you recommend, Michael. The deer get them in bud and cut a generous amount of foliage for good measure. I hope to see a rose on that bush sometime this summer! Gean |
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