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Supplemental care
and marketing tips: Roses should always be placed
in fresh-flower food solutions. Some brands are more effective than
others, depending on water alkalinity. These differences can be
significant, but they are never as great as the differences between
using plain water and fresh-flower food solutions. Removal of those
leaves and thorns below the water line should not reduce vase life
if the stems are placed into a fresh-flower food solution. Thorn
removal above the water line can be detrimental. Petal blackening
on 'Royalty' is due to grower practices and cannot be corrected
at wholesale or retail levels. On average, 29 percent of the potential
life of this flower species is lost in the marketing channel from
grower through retailer.
Botanical name:
Rosa spp.
Genus pronunciation: ROW-za
Common relatives: Apple, strawberry, pyracantha
and pear
Botanical fun facts:
For the purpose of identification, two groups of
roses are recognized: species or those grown for general use in
the landscape and specialized ones which are highly developed and
include Teas, Hybrid Teas, Hybrid Perpetuals and Ramblers.
Ethylene sensitive:
Some cultivars. Treat with STS if they are sold
to mass marketers, especially if being shipped through distribution
centers, and also STS treat prior to dry storage.
Storage temperature
(three days or fewer): 36-38 degrees Fahrenheit
Storage temperature (more than three days): 32-34
degrees Fahrenheit
Purchasing hints:
Should be purchased and sold by cultivar name.
End-user life:
4 - 12 days
Special concerns:
The fungus Botrytis represents a major problem for
roses. Symptoms of Botrytis infection include brown blotches on
petals and gray, fuzzy growth on leaves, stems or flowers. Postharvest
fungicide dip treatment is suggested only if registered products
are used according to label instructions.
Care and Handling
information is from the "Flower and Plant Care Manual",
Written by George Staby, Ph.D., Used with the permission of publisher,
The Society of American Florists, 1601 Duke St., Alexandria, VA.
22314-3406.
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