The Essential Guide To The Rose
Botanical Name: Rosa spp
Common Name: Rose
General Knowledge: The Rose, with its origins tracing back to ancient Persia, is not only revered for its beauty but also has deep historical significance. It's extensively cultivated across Australia for its ornamental value, and its petals and hips are used in various products, ranging from perfumes to herbal teas. A fun fact about roses is that they belong to the genus Rosa and have a family connection to fruits such as apples and cherries, with some varieties producing rosehips that are rich in vitamin C.
Colour Range: Roses are available in a wide array of colours including red, pink, white, yellow, orange, peach, lavender, blue, and multi-coloured varieties. They can also be dyed to other colours such as green.
Australian Seasonal Availability: Roses are available year-round in Australia, but peak season is late spring to early summer.
Australian Wedding and Event Season Availability: Roses are a staple for weddings and events due to their year-round availability and iconic status in ceremonies.
Commercially grown in Australia: Yes, many modern roses are grown in climate-controlled greenhouses, ensuring year-round availability.
If imported into Australia: Roses are imported year-round, but premium, fresh, locally grown roses may offer longer vase life and better-quality foliage.
Buying tips:
Ensure buds are turgid and undamaged.
Soft petals could indicate older roses with reduced vase life.
Avoid roses with brown spots at the base, a sign of Botrytis.
Design Usage: Roses are highly versatile flowers often associated with romance and elegance. They are ideal for vase arrangements, bridal bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, and other special occasion arrangements.
Flower Maturity: It's advisable to purchase roses that are in bud stage or just beginning to open, as they will last longer compared to fully opened roses. Avoid roses with fully opened flowers, limp stems, and signs of wilting or discolouration.
Expected Vase Life: Typically, 5-7 days, but can last up to 2 weeks if properly cared for. Also depends on other factors such as the quality and cultivar or selection.
Typical stem length: 30–100 cm
Typical bunch size: Usually 10 stems per bunch, but not always.
Floral Preservatives: Use floral preservatives or alum powder to provide extra nutrients and help roses absorb more water. Alternatively, a mixture of Sprite and a small amount of bleach can also help keep roses fresh.
Ethylene Sensitivity: Roses are sensitive to ethylene, which can accelerate the wilting of petals and leaves. It's advisable to use ethylene inhibitors or keep roses away from sources of ethylene.
Temperature Requirements: Roses should be kept in a cool and humid place. Placing them in the fridge or a cool room can slow down water loss and keep them fresh for a longer period.
Avoiding Potential Problems: Regularly replenish the preservative solution, keep roses away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and drafts, and remove dying florets to maximize the vase life.
Cooling and Cool Rooms: Roses benefit from being stored in a cool, humid environment to slow down the aging process and water loss. Cool rooms or refrigeration is ideal for extending the freshness of roses, especially overnight.
Hydration and Vase Solutions: Ensure roses are well-hydrated by placing them in fresh, clean water as soon as possible after cutting. It's beneficial to use floral preservatives or alum powder in the water to provide extra nutrients and help roses absorb more water. An alternative solution of Sprite mixed with a small amount of bleach can also help keep roses fresh.
Care of Ethylene Sensitive Products: Since roses are sensitive to ethylene, it's advisable to use ethylene inhibitors or keep roses away from sources of ethylene to prevent premature wilting and aging. Ethylene exposure can lead to poor opening, abnormal opening, petal shattering, wilting, bent neck, and petal discolouration among others, so proper care in handling and storage away from ethylene sources is crucial for maintaining the quality and longevity of rose arrangements.