(NAPSA)—A Valentine’s Day classic, roses have symbolized love, friendship and beauty across cultures throughout time. More than one hundred million roses in more than one thousanddifferent varieties are sold each year on this special holiday. Whether one’s taste leans towardsthe subtle, the flamboyant or the delicate, there is a rose to please. Red roses, however, are symbols of romantic love and dedication, and continueto be the most popular choice for Valentine’s Day. The floral experts who can be found at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM’ offer the following tips to help extend the life of your roses this Valentine’s Day: If your roses are delivered in a box, open it immediately and place them in water. If this cannot be done, place the entire box in a cool, dark place. To arrange the roses, fill a deep vase with lukewarm water and mix in thefloral preservative provided by theflorist. Remove any leaves that may fall below the waterline when the roses are placed in the vase. Use a sharp knife or shears to cut an inch from the bottom of each stem while holding it under water. Look like a blooming genius: give roses for Valentine’s Day. Place roses loosely, yet evenly spaced, in the vase. Place the vase in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight, heating and cooling vents and appliances that give off heat. Add warm water to the vase every day, always keepingit full. Change the water and re-cut the flower stems every three or four days. Give roses a face-lift by gently removing discolored or drooping petals to give them a fresh appearance, even after several days. For a beautiful assortment of roses this Valentine’s Day, visit www.1800flowers.com.
