I have just received a question asking me; “When is the best time to pick roses?” The answer is quite simple. The best time to pick roses is when the roses are at their best.

The worst time to pick roses

Roses, like people go through periods of relaxation and times of stress. Their worst stress is when the sun is beating down on them and they are thirsting for water.

And because they are feeling stressed and miserable they may even be drooping their heads. This is to avoid the direct rays of the sun.

This is clearly not the best time to pick your roses.  If you do, they will simply  collapse on you and fade away very quickly in your vase.

The best time to pick roses

The best time to pick roses is when they are feeling fresh and happy.

• This will be early in the morning with the dew still on their faces.  They will be standing tall and erect and this is undoubtedly the best time to pick them.

• Another good time to pick your roses is towards evening after they have had a good drink of water and feel refreshed.  They will then have recovered from the heat of the day and will have regained their loveliness.

• Remember to take a bucket of cold water with you when picking and submerge the roses almost up to their necks in water.  After that you will be able to arrange the roses in vases without having to worry about any drooping heads.

If you follow these few simple guidelines your roses will last much longer in the vase.