The container consists of a piece of four-inch drainage pipe cut 17 inches long and fit snugly in a half gallon milk carton, filled about one third full of water and one tablespoon of Floralife . The bloom should be above the pipe, because the tube can bruise the outer petals when traveling. Most home refrigerators are set at 40 to 42 degrees F, and at this temperature, the rose still slowly continues to open. When traveling more than an hour or so to a rose show, roses should be in some kind of ice box or the air conditioner should be at full blast, and believe me this can be very uncomfortable even when you are wrapped up in blankets. Always arrive early at show area in order to have as much time as possible to groom and prep your roses.
Grooming is a very important part of exhibiting roses.
I don't think enough attention is given to grooming, but I would rate it right up there with the other steps, maybe higher. I have seen a fair rose before grooming, become Queen after grooming. Look at a woman before her make-up is on. There should be more programs devoted entirely to grooming and staging. So the next time you see that gorgeous rose sitting up there, think of all the work and details that went into getting it there.