How long the roses will stay fresh depends mainly on the type of flowers. However, at first glance, only a specialist is able to determine the variety. The average buyer should be guided by external signs.
What should a fresh rose look like?
The first thing you should pay attention to when buying is a rosebud, or rather its base. If the bud is dense and elastic at the base - the flower is fresh, if it is not firm enough - it is worth looking for more.
One of the clear signs of freshness is the so-called "shirt" of the rose. These are sepals, petals, which are located at the very base of the bud. They should be directed upward, as if "hugging" the rosebud.
Next, you need to consider the leaves. Fresh flowers have dense leaves, bright green saturated color. If the leaves are darkened and have already dropped, the flower is not the first freshness. And a rose without leaves on a bare stem means that the seller has already cut them, because they have completely wilted.
Then we look at the stem. It should be of the same thickness along its entire length. If the stem becomes thinner towards the bud, then the rose will soon drop its head. Only flowers with a thick stem to the very bud can delight with their freshness for more than 10 days. The length of the stem does not affect the firmness of the rose. Roses grown in Russia often have a thin stem, while they often retain their color and aroma longer than the recognized beauties with thick stems brought from Holland.
Sellers' tricks
Don't be tempted by the price. A quality product is rarely cheap. No one will trade at a loss. As a rule, what is in stock is sold at a discount. This is especially true for such perishable goods as flowers. Obviously, the rose costs 30 rubles, because the seller did not manage to sell it for 100 when it was fresh.
Oddly enough, but it is stale roses that are often sold at a higher price. This is what sellers call "exclusive". Blue roses, roses with a gold or silver border are nothing more than withered roses painted with phyto-paint. They, perhaps, will please with their uniqueness, but they will crumble in a few hours.
It is better to buy ready-made bouquets only from well-known and trusted florists. Otherwise, ask to make a bouquet in your presence, as packaging and decorative ornaments sometimes mask stale roses.
And one more important point: as you know, the most "corrupt" days for flower growers are September 1, March 8 and February 14. On these days, roses are sold every 100 meters and cost 2-3 times more than on any other day. Therefore, if you correctly choose fresh flowers in advance, you can not only enjoy their durability and aroma, but also save a lot!
