Preserving Fresh Cut Roses?

Q: Does anyone know how to keep a fresh cut rose from dying? I have many dry flowers that I've kept from different occasions and such but I wondered if there is a way to keep it in its natural beauty, open before it dies? I know there is something you can buy and dip the rose into but I wondered if anyone has tried anything that works.

Thank you,
Yvonne from Ontario

A: Yvonne,

To keep your cut roses alive longer follow these steps:

Remove any leaves that will be under water and those above water that you don't need. Add a packet of florist's flower preserver. This is really just sucrose (sugar) and citric acid. You can make your own by combining a pint of lemon-lime soda with 1/2 teaspoon of bleach and a pint of warm water. Keep you arrangement in a cool room and out of direct sunlight. Re-cut stems and change the water every other day or when it becomes cloudy. You can also extend the life by placing the roses in the refrigerator when not on display (e.g. overnight). Don't store them with fruits or vegetables, though, they give off ethylene gas and encourage wilting.

To dry/preserve roses in their open state, cut off the stem to within an inch of the flower and place the rose face-up in a cardboard box filled with fine, white sand (you can usually find sand at craft stores). Gently push the rose (face-up) into the sand until it is deep enough to be supported by the sand. Then gently pour more sand around the base of the rose and then in-between and around the sides of the petals.

Do this carefully and evenly to avoid disturbing the shape of the flower. When the rose is completely covered, store the box (open) in a dry area for three weeks. To remove the sand, tilt the box on the side and gently pour off the sand. Keep dried flowers in an airtight container until used and avoid exposing them to humidity.