Everything's Coming Up Roses!
February brings with it the celebration of Valentine’s Day on February 14. St. Valentine officiated at the secret marriages of Roman soldiers who had taken an oath of celibacy upon joining the military. He was later martyred by the Catholic church and in his honor, February 14 became a celebration of love.
February brings with it the celebration of Valentine’s Day on February 14. Valentine’s Day began in Roman times when Emperor Claudius II executed a priest named Valentine on Feb. 14, in the third century A.D. St. Valentine officiated at the secret marriages of Roman soldiers who had taken an oath of celibacy upon joining the military. He was later martyred by the Catholic church and in his honor, February 14 became a celebration of love.
Over the centuries Valentine’s Day has taken on a more commercial tone with the introduction of card giving during the middle ages which led to factory made cards appearing in the 14th century. The gift giving of flowers began in the 1600’s. In the early 1900’s Hallmark began mass producing cards and candy soon followed.
Many countries such as Denmark, celebrate Valentine’s Day with friends and lovers gifting white flowers called snowdrops. In the Philippines, February 14 is often a day of large group weddings. And in Japan women give chocolates to friends, family and their special men. On March 14 the men reciprocate with white colored candies and it is called White Day.
Here in North America the quintessential Valentine’s Day flower is the rose. This beautiful flower represents love and romance and comes in a myriad of colors. Red roses represent love and romance and are still the most popular.
Most long stem roses will last a week to ten days with proper care.
Cut Rose Care
Most long stem roses will last a week to ten days with proper care.
Clean a vase with a mild bleach/water solution, rinse well and fill it with very warm water. Dissolve the food packet you received with your flowers in this warm water. Fill one half of your kitchen sink with warm water as well. If you do not have a food packet you can create a food and anti-bacterial solution by making this easy recipe:
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. bleach
2 tsp. lemon or lime in 1 Litre of warm water
Be sure you have very sharp scissors or a knife on hand. I prefer an extra sharp knife and suggest you wear gloves.
First remove any leaves that will be below the waterline in the vase. Leaves in water quickly promote bacterial growth. Remove any upper leaves that have browned. Cut the end of each stem off at a 45 degree angle under the water in the sink. This prevents the stem base from sitting directly on the bottom of the vase, restricting water uptake.
Transfer each stem to your vase and if possible place the bouquet in a cool spot away from heat or full sun. Keep the arrangement away from fruit as fruit releases an ethylene gas that greatly reduces the longevity of your roses. Change the water and re-cut your roses every two to three days. Again clean the vase each time with a mild bleach/water solution. I have kept cut roses for longer than ten days using this method and an ever- changing size of vase or container. Eventually you cut the stem just below the flower and float it in a rose bowl or a shallow glass container.
To make your rose bouquet last even longer cover it with a light plastic bag and put it in the fridge overnight. Just don’t forget to take it out each morning! If you have to skip this step, don’t worry. It is not absolutely essential.
A word about daffodils. Please know this little piece of important information in case you receive daffodils for Valentine’s Day. Daffodils do not play well with other cut flowers. They must be displayed in a vase all by themselves. Daffodils release a latex sap substance that clogs the water uptake of other flowers.
Mini roses are a popular Valentine’s Day gift plant that are grown in four and six-inch pots.
Potted Mini Rose Care
Mini roses are another popular Valentine’s Day gift plant that are grown in four and six-inch pots.
Again, they come in a myriad of colors and are repeat bloomers. Do not let their delicate appearance fool you! They are extremely hardy and can be planted outside in late spring in full sun in a sheltered location.
Unlike larger roses, mini roses are propagated on their own root system and are extremely hardy. They are not budded or grafted onto a hardier rootstock so you do not have a graft to bury and there will be no suckers coming from the rootstock. Check the plant tag for a variety name. If the mini rose is named, you can look it up to find out it’s mature height and spread when planted outside. Usually they will reach a height and spread of 12-15 inches.
Enjoy your mini rose inside until you are able to slowly move it outdoors in late spring.
Keep them on a sunny window in a warm room and out of cold drafts.
They do prefer extra humidity so keeping the rose on a water- filled pebble tray is ideal.
Mini roses are used to leading a cushy life in the greenhouse they are raised in. Regular bottom watering and fertilization are used to make them look their best. Every second week, fertilize with an all- purpose rose food at half to one quarter strength the recommended rate on the package.
If moving your plant outside in late spring, plant your mini rose in a sheltered location in full sun. Amend the planting soil with compost and rich, well -drained soil.
Do not fertilize full strength for about three weeks after planting. This gives new roots time to gain a foothold in their new location. Stop fertilization in mid-August.
Hard pruning in subsequent years is not necessary. Prune lightly in early spring just to shape, fertilize, water, and sit back and enjoy the show!
Other Rose Color Meanings
Pink - Gratitude, Grace, and Joy
White - Purity or Innocence (they can also mean respect or remembrance.)
Purple – Adoration /Fascination
Yellow – Friendship/Caring
Orange – Enthusiasm/Passion