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Is the best way to extend the shelf life of flowers, especially roses, to cut them underwater? I was taught to do this, but some Web sites say to cut them and then plunge them immediately in water, which isn't the same thing at all.
Last Updated: December 18, 2007
I don't know that it really makes any difference. However, because what we are trying to do is to cut the stem without crushing it and to not have it exposed to the air long enough to dry it out, I would say that cutting flowers with a sharp pair of shears or nonserrated knife while the stems are underwater would be the better. Remove any leaves that would be underwater in the vase, but don't remove thorns from roses. They will last longer with their thorns on the stems.
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