Long stem roses are highly coveted for their elegance and beauty, making them a popular choice for gifts, weddings, and floral arrangements But have you ever wondered exactly how these gorgeous flowers are grown? Producing perfect long stem roses is an intricate process requiring careful planning, specialized techniques, and optimal growing conditions
Selecting the Right Rose Variety
Not all roses are created equal when it comes to stem length. Growers seeking lengthy stems will select specific rose varieties that are known for tall growth habits. Popular long stem rose types include the Freedom, Venus, Avalanche, and Titanic. These varieties can achieve stem lengths over 3 feet long under ideal conditions!
When choosing rose varieties, growers also consider traits like disease resistance, vase life, and bloom shape. The right mix of characteristics ensures both beauty and durability from seed to centerpiece.
Providing Optimal Growing Conditions
Location and climate are key factors influencing stem length. Equatorial regions near the tropics offer prime positioning as the consistent daylight hours and sun exposure encourage vertical growth.
Ecuador has become a top source for long stem roses thanks to its high-altitude equatorial location. The abundant sunlight and cooler mountain temperatures allow Ecuadorian roses to grow rapidly while staying strong and healthy.
In temperate climates, greenhouses allow complete control over growing conditions like sunlight temperature, irrigation, and nutrition. Supplemental lighting mimics the long days of summer to keep roses growing even in winter. Careful moisture and fertilizer management results in robust lengthy stems.
Employing Specialized Growing Techniques
Achieving 30+ inch stems requires more than just ideal weather conditions. Growers use specialized techniques to promote vertical rise and discourage compact growth.
Pruning – Selective removal of side shoots forces plants to concentrate energy into the main stem. Lower leaves are also pruned to further enhance upward growth.
Training – Canes are guided vertically using trellises, strings, or woven tapes. This prevents sagging and keeps stems perfectly upright.
Disbudding – Removal of small lateral buds triggers the development of a single large center flower. With less flowers to nourish, more energy goes to the stem.
Cool temperatures – Daytime temps of 60-70°F and nighttime temps around 50°F slow growth just enough to yield super sturdy stems without sacrificing height.
Harvesting at the Perfect Stage
Knowing when to cut roses is an art. Harvest too soon and stems won’t fully elongate. Waiting too long risks wilting or weakened necks. Most roses are cut when 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 of the petals have unfurled.
Cutting is done early in the morning when plants are well hydrated. Stems are trimmed at a 45 degree angle above an outward facing bud using sterilized shears. Leaves are promptly stripped off the lower 2/3 of the length to prevent moisture loss.
After harvest, roses are placed immediately in clean water. Proper post-harvest care ensures the roses look their best when they reach the hands of admirers.
From Farm to Florist
After harvest, the long stem roses make their way from farms to floral shops all around the world! Careful packaging, transportation, and handling keeps these delicate beauties in pristine condition.
Most roses take a plane ride, though nearby markets may get truck delivery. Bunches are wrapped in plastic sleeves and packed upright in boxes lined with water tubes or wet foam bricks. Shipments are expedited to prevent dehydration and botrytis (a fungal disease).
Upon arrival at the distribution center, roses are rehydrated, sorted by grade, and prepped for order assembly. Top-tier buds, like those grown in Ecuador, will become focal flowers in arrangements while shorter stems fill out bouquets and centerpieces.
From Florist to You!
Finally, the flawless long stem roses end their journey in the hands of someone special! With proper care, these ethereal flowers will continue opening to reveal their full lush bloom.
Now you know the incredible journey of the long stem rose! From breeding to growing, harvesting and shipping, it takes great care and effort to produce these stunning plants. When you receive a bundle of these superior stems, you’ll have an appreciation for the time and devotion invested in their creation.
How do you grow long stem flowers?
Growing long-stem roses requires attention to detail and careful maintenance. Here are some steps you can follow to grow long stem roses:
- Choose the right location: Roses require a lot of sunlight and well-draining soil. Choose a location in your garden that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily and has soil draining well.
- Plant the roses: Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of the rose plant. Add compost to the hole to improve soil quality, and place the rose plant in the hole. Fill the hole with soil and water the plant thoroughly.
- Prune regularly: Pruning is essential to growing long stem roses. Remove any dead or damaged wood, and cut back any growing side shoots from the main stem. This will help to encourage the rose plant to grow taller and produce longer stems.
- Fertilize regularly: Roses require a lot of nutrients to grow long stems and produce healthy blooms. Fertilize the roses with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
- Water regularly: Roses require regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather. Water deeply once or twice a week, and make sure the soil is moist but not soggy.
- Provide support: Long-stem roses require support to prevent them from bending or breaking under the weight of their blooms. Use a stake or trellis to provide support, and tie the stems to the support as they grow.
What does a long stem flower symbolize?
Long stem flowers, such as long stem roses, are frequently connected to romance, elegance, and love. They are popular for important occasions like weddings, anniversaries, and Valentine’s Day because of the longer stem, which lends a sense of class. Long stem flowers can represent a variety of things based on the type of flower and the color:
- Red long stem flowers, such as red roses, symbolize love, passion, and desire.
- Pink long stem flowers, such as pink roses or peonies, symbolize admiration, appreciation, and grace.
- White long stem flowers, such as white lilies or roses, symbolize purity, innocence, and new beginnings.
- Yellow long stem flowers, such as yellow roses or sunflowers, symbolize friendship, happiness, and joy.
Overall, long stem flowers can be a meaningful and elegant gift that symbolizes various emotions and sentiments, depending on the specific flower and color.
Rose Gardening Tips: Grow HUGE Long Stem Roses! Shirley Bovshow ( #Shorts)
FAQ
How do they grow long stem roses?
Long-stem roses are obtained by using techniques such as: planting them in nutrient-rich soil; spacing the plants farther apart; pruning the plant to promote the growth of fewer but longer stems; training the roses using support structures.
Where do long stemmed roses come from?
Almost all of the long stem roses sold in the US come from South America, and most of those roses come from Ecuador. There are two reasons for this. First, roses grow perfectly straight only near the equator where the sun shines perpendicular to the plan.
What is the difference between long stem roses and regular roses?
The stem length of long stem roses is generally between 18 and 24 inches, making them longer than ordinary roses. As a result of their longer stem, these roses are frequently chosen for special occasions like weddings, anniversaries, or Valentine’s Day.
How to get longer rose stems?
About 6-8 canes is best for a floribunda rose. The shorter you prune the canes, the bigger the flower and the longer the stems. Leave canes a little taller and this will produce more blooms, although smaller ones on shorter stems.