Longer-Lasting Roses

Along with chocolates, flowers are the ultimate Valentine's Day gift, but it's always pretty disappointing when $100 worth of roses dies in just a few days.

But now scientists have developed a way for making those flowers last three or more days in the vase. They can also improve flower quality by taking better care of them after harvest. This way, flowers will seem more fresh and lively when they reach loved ones or secret crushes.

"Our research has shown that keeping flowers cold as they move from the field to the florist is critical," said environmental horticulturist Terril Nell of the University of Florida.

One of the commonly seen quality issues with roses is "bent neck"--a bending of the stem immediately below the flower that leads to wilting and failure of the flower to open. Bent neck typically occurs in the first three days after purchase.

"Generally, this problem has been greatly reduced due to use of improved handling procedures from grower to consumer and better rose varieties developed by rose breeders," Nell said. "As seen with the reduction of bent neck over the last five to eight years, the results of this research programs are making a difference with consumers already. We hope to make even greater strides in the next two to three years."

Consumers can extend vase life by two to three days by using properly mixed commercial flower foods. Using clean, sanitized containers will help to keep all cut flowers fresh longer.

When choosing roses, buyers should look for freshly cut stems. Re-cut the stems, use a commercial flower food and place the flowers in a clean vase. Keep roses in a cool place, away from heat vents and out of direct sunlight.

"It's not enough to offer consumers a beautiful flower," Nell said. "It needs to come with an extended warranty to remain lovely for a reasonable period of time. Our research is providing scientific basis for that kind of guarantee."

The beauty and ephemeral nature of Valentine's Day flowers represent a unique investment in memories, said Nell. A behavioral study shows that fresh flowers have an immediate impact on happiness and increase life satisfaction and enjoyment.

 "It is already proven that flowers are the most popular gift to receive, that they consistently increase a sense of individual well-being, and are even capable of increasing creative thought and output in workplace settings," Nell said. "If we can help make floral products last longer, their value to consumers will be greater."

--LiveScience Staff