How to Cut Fresh Roses

Overview

Their bright, bold colors make roses a perfect addition to any flower bed and also add elegance when brought indoors. You must be careful when you cut the stem of a rose, should you choose to bring one indoors, as poor technique can result in a dead, wilted flower in as little as a day. While it may not seem important, factors such as the formation of the petals and the time of the day play a large role in how long the rose will survive after being cut.

Step 1

Examine the rose daily. Once the two outer petals of the flower begin to unfold, you can cut the stem.

Step 2

Cut the stem to a length of your choice with a sharp pair of scissors. The best time to do this is in the late afternoon when temperatures begin to cool down. Keep in mind you will cut an additional 1 inch of stem off later on, so take this into consideration when deciding on length.

Step 3

Cut off any leaves that would be submerged under water when put in a vase. Simply pull the leaves off the stem.

Step 4

Fill a vase with warm water and immediately place the rose stem inside.

Step 5

Hold the bottom of the stem near the top of the water line so only the bottom 1 1/2 inches of the stem is submerged. Cut the bottom 1 inch of the stem at an angle to remove any air pockets that may restrict water from getting to the rose.