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Rosa hybrida (Hybrids)
(ROSE-ah)
Common Name: Rose, Hybrid Tea, Sweetheart Rose
Family: Rosaceae

A large number of widely grown, deciduous, shrubby species, mostly native to temperate parts of the northern hemisphere. The rose is the most popular flower used by florists and gardners. Complex hybridization of this flower has led to many colors, flower sizes and forms. Distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere and in some cooler portions of the tropics. Rose quality is a function of stem length and flower size. Longer stemmed roses being more expensive than shorter stemmed ones. More recently miniature potted roses have become popular as living bouquets that can be planted out successfully into the home landscape.
Aphids, Thrips, and Spider Mites can cause damage to flowers and foliage. Thrips are especially difficult to control and may feed heavily on partially-opened flowers. Their rasping mouth parts leave 'streaks' of damage on the petals that can be very severe. It is usually only in the most severe infestations that spider mites damage floral tissue.

Powdery mildew appears as whitish patches on foliage and soft stem and bud tissue. May disfigure outer petals if flower was infected at the tight bud stage. Spread by airborne spores (conidia) and most troublesome during periods of high humidity . Proper ventilation practices and fungicidal sprays are effective controls.

Production factors
Temperature. It is reported that reducing growing temperatures to 55F to 60 F (13 to 15C) during the last 3 weeks before harvest causes a definite reduction in vase life. Growing temperatures of 70 to 75 F(21 to 24C) produce the longest vase life for cultivars Garnette, Zorina and Bacarra in tests. Higher temperatures reduced color intensity and postharvest longevity.

Nutrition. High or low levels of nitrogen and/or potassium, within reasonable levels do not have a significant effect on vase life; however nutrient regimes that produce large leaves and generally soft growth may reduce longevity. CO2 enrichment is not reported to influence vase life; however to the extent it contributes to soft luxuriant growth and large foliage, CO2 may result in decreased longevity.

Disorders. Powdery mildew, botrytis, and insect injury also reduce longevity and flower quality. Ethylene produced as a result of infection may result in production of ethylene by the flower and improper flower development. Supplemental lighting. use of HID lighting for 24 hours produces soft, vigorous growth

Development at harvest . Proper stage of development at harvest depends upon variety and storage or shipping intentions . Roses to be shipped long must be cut at a tighter stage, which may result in variations in performance as cut flowers.

Lasting qualities . With proper handling, roses cut at the right stage of development can have a vase life of 6 to 16 days. Some consumers experience short vase life with cut roses for the following reasons:
1. Incomplete hydration and failure to maintain tissue water balances as a result of poor water quality, or premature use of a preservative prior to adequate flower hydration.
2. Incorrect use of or omission of preservatives.
3. Prolonged or improper storage prior to sale.

Proper stage of development at harvest depends upon variety and storage or shipping intentions. Roses to be shipped long distncesa must be cut at a tighter stage, which may result in variations in performance as cut flowers.

Lasting qualities. With proper handling, roses cut at the right stage of development can have a vase life of 6 to 16 days. Some consumers experience short vase life with cut roses, and there are a number of reasons for this. Te main causes are incomplete hydration and failure to maintain proper water balance in the tissues. These problems may, in turn, be related to poor water quality and/or failure to ensure adequate hydration prior to placing in a flooral preservative.
other common causes of shortened vase life are incorrect use or omission of a preservatiive and prolonged or improper storage of flowers.

Recut flower stems upon receipt if flowers have been out of solution for some time.
Roses generally show excellent response to most floral preservatives, but actual performance depends upon specific water characteristics, such as clarity and alkalinity, as well as the relationship between preservative acidity, water alkalinity, and biocide pH optimum.
Place roses in solution adjusted to pH 3 to 3.5 for 30 to 60 minutes or until the foliage and petals feel crisp and turgid. The amount of citric acid required to adjust the pH to 3.0 or 3.5 varies depending upon the alkalinity of the water source. Water sources must be tested to determine the amount of citric acid to add. 'Hard' water supplies generally require greater amounts of citric acid than 'soft' water supplies to achieve the desired pH.

Roses show a slight sensitivity to ethylene, and research indicates that they respond to pretreatment with silver thiosulfate.

Hydroxyquinoline Citrate, (Oxine Citrate) is an effective biocide in rose preservatives.

Although most florists hold flowers at above 40F (5C), the best temperature for roses is 32F to 35F (0C to 2C).

Leaf drop may occur if roses are placed in the same container with narcissus. Microbial populations associated with woody-stemmed flowers (carnations, baby's breath) usually arranged with roses warrant the use of biocides in rose hydrating solutions.

If possible, remove lower leaves and thorns carefully, avoiding injury to the bark. Recut stmes with a sharp knife of sharp shears, if at all possible in an underwater cutter.