If you were preparing an information package on roses for a customer,
your brochure might look like this:
Background Information
Rosa
hybrids, more commonly known as roses, consist of many petals overlapping
to create a circular flower. The flower rests on thorny, rigid green stems.
Roses come in a variety of colors -- red, white, pink, yellow, orange or even
two colors -- and are available year-round. They're most plentiful in June.
The
rose is one of the oldest flowers to be grown in gardens. The first fossil
remains of leaves and thorns were discovered in Montana and Oregon.
Selection
and Care
When selecting roses, pick those with long straight stems
and tightly overlapping petals. Make sure there are no dried edges or drooping
heads.
Begin by selecting a clean non-metallic vase. Empty the contents
of the flower food packet into vase and add one pint of lukewarm water. Remove
any leaves underneath the water in the vase -- these leaves help bacteria
grow when in water.
The outer petals of a rose are left to protect
it during shipping. If they are bruised or torn, remove these outer petals.
Be careful not to scrape or cut the bark during this process.
Using
a sharp knife or shears, cut one to two inches diagonally off the base of
the rose stem while holding it under lukewarm water. Cutting stems under water
will prevent air bubbles from entering the stem and blocking the flow of water
to the head of the bud. Air bubbles can cause roses to droop.
Place
roses loosely in a vase, making sure the stem ends are in water. Keep the
vase away from direct sunlight and avoid the air-conditioning or heating vents,
as well as the top of a television set. Refresh your roses every other day
by re-cutting the stems underwater and refilling the water to its original
level.
"Educating the customer is the most challenging
part of our job," says floris Janet McCleod. "You have to educate them over
and over again on a fresh, living product. You should take them through the
flower's life cycle."