• In the right stage of development
  AVOID 

  1.  old roses -- many loosened petals; little bud left in the center;
  2.  green roses -- (roses that have been cut too tight) -- no sepals have "fallen"; prone to bent neck; may never open

• Conditioned in floral preservative

• Remove all foliage that will be in water.
• Cut 1" (or slightly less) of stem under warm water.  OR Cut stems and place immediately in a quick dip hydration solution.  These techniques ensure that water not sir will enter the stem.
• Place stems immediately into a floral preservative solution until ready to arrange.
• Use a floral preservative in the vase used for the design.  If designing in floral foam, soak the floral foam in the floral preservative solution.
• Always use clean containers and shears or knives.

• Cut and secure under water for 1 hour
• Prop up rose head with small wire or a taller vase

• Get Them Ready—Pull off all stem leaves that will be covered by vase water. In a water-filled basin or bowl submerge flower stems, and cut them diagonally with scissors. This simple step will help your flowers absorb cut flower food, while eliminating stem-clogging bacteria. 
• Feed Your Flowers—Always start with a clean vase and add a packet of cut flower food to warm water. A packet of flower food is enclosed with all flowers and arrangements from Proflowers. The use of flower food has been shown to increase the life of fresh flowers by several days. Individual packets are available wherever cut flowers are sold. 
• Show Them Off—Display your flowers in a cool, draft-free location, away from harsh sunlight and heat vents. Don't set flowers on top of a TV. Top off water daily and replace totally after several days. Flowers like to be spray misted too! When you're down to your last few blooms, change to a smaller vase. 
• Tips for Getting Started—Beautiful bouquets and flower arrangements can be shown off in many different types of vases and containers. The possibilities are endless—from an antique teapot or brass urn, to an elegant crystal vase, or a simple glass jar. Avoid containers made of steel or iron. 

Tip: Make sure your vase is leak proof, and has a neck and water reservoir large enough for your flowers to fit comfortably.

For some flower arrangements you may also want to use a brick of floral foam—a substance that, when saturated, holds flowers in place.

Tip: Be sure to soak your foam in water containing a floral food solution.  Let foam absorb water at its own rate. Cut it to fit the shape of your container, leaving enough space for reserve water. Floral foam cuts easier when wet.

If your flowers sometimes don't stand up straight ...

Tip: It could be your vase is too short for your flowers, or your flowers are too tall for your vase! A good rule of thumb: the height of your vase should be about half to one-third as tall as your flowers.

Tip: Build a grid across the top of your vase with clear tape. Then place flowers within the grid.

Oh no! I've cut my flowers too short!

Tip: Don't worry. Just add pebbles or marbles to the bottom of your vase or simply float the head of a broken flower in a clear bowl for a charming display.

Splish, splash, my furniture is taking a bath!

Tip: To avoid "spill over" when watering your flowers, use a kitchen bulb-type baster to reach into narrow vases and full arrangements.