Roses that are tight and hard will not necessarily last longer as they've been picked too soon. The sepals on the red rose, should bend away from the bloom, indicating that the rose was mature when picked. Rose petals should have a velvety texture and rich color that looks moist. Stems should be straight and strong. Care Tips Proper care of roses can double their life.
Place roses in a clean, deep vase of warm water and add one tablespoon of concentrated lemon juice.
Leave them in a cool room or refrigerator to condition for 1-2 hours before arranging. If your roses are arranged in foam or other filler material, add water immediately to saturate the filler. If your roses are delivered loose, keep them in a cool, dark place, until they can be arranged. Remove any leaves that will be below the water line of the vase. Cut about one inch from each stem with a sharp knife, under running water.