What I have learned over my many years in the florist industry is that not all roses are the same. "Back in the day", I remember receiving roses that were very much in their bud stage. Unfortunately they sometimes never opened up at all, the heavy heads would just bend to the side and then die. These days the roses available through the floral industry are breed for longevity, beauty, and performance. So many of them have long vase life, vibrant stunning colors and they open up like never before. Having a flower shop, I want my customers to know they can stop in for roses that will WOW them. I have my favorites, tried and true varieties that I count on but I still try new varieties all the time looking for another spectacular rose. It feel great when a customer calls to say that the flowers they received were outstanding, they cannot believe how gorgeous they are and how long they lasted. Roses come in a rainbow of colors and thousands of varieties.
With Valentine's Day approaching there is always discussion about the length and cost attached to buying long stem roses. What is a long stem rose? Typically florist buy roses based on stem length 40, 50, 60 and 70cm long. Forty centimeters is considered short stem, fifty medium and 60 centimeters long stem. There are also longer 70/80 centimeter roses available that are extra long and here is where the big differences come in. If you see an advertisement for Long stem roses they should measure nearly 24 inches and extra long stem nearly 30 inches in the vase. The longer the rose stays on the bush the larger and longer it gets. It takes more time, maintenance and care to grow the extra long stems, but the size of the flower head is worth the wait. All of this accounts for the extra expense associated with purchasing these beauties, the finished product is the proof.
Whichever you decide on, long, short, medium, red, pink or any of the other rainbow of colors, take time to admire them as the miracles that they are. Perfection!
