Farm Direct Flowers

-5 Star Collection
-Roses
-Spray Roses
-Alstroemeria
-Asters
-Premium Asters
-Carnations
-Mini Carnations
-Gypsophila
-Pompons
-Chrysanthemum
-Calla Lily
-Liatris
-Misty Blue Limonium
-Snapdragons
-Statice
-Sunflowers

Novelty Roses

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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.