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Is Dried Baby’s Breath Toxic To Live Cut Roses?

Roses & Baby's BreathAsk The Plant Expert: We had some dried baby’s breath saved from a previous vase of roses.  We put the dried baby’s breath into a new vase of roses, and all the roses died within 4 days, after bending over and facing down and losing leaves.  Normally we can keep roses alive in a vase for a week or two, and then they finally die facing up without losing leaves.  We used the same vase we always use, same tap water supply, same rose food, and same store where we always purchase the roses.  The only thing we did differently was to add the dried baby’s breath.  Is it possible that the dried baby’s breath was toxic to the live cut roses? Thanks. -Dave

Flower Shop Network‘s Plant Expert Reply: When it comes to dried flowers, the rule is absolutely NO moisture. Even high humidity can damage most dried and preserved florals. Unfortunately, when your dried baby’s breath was put into the water it began to rot and mold, thus turning the water for your roses toxic. Don’t worry, there are ways to mix dry florals with fresh flowers! You must prevent the water from getting to your dried stems, do this by

  1. Wrapping the stems in floral tape
  2. Coating/dipping the stems into melted wax
  3. OR coating/dipping your stems into melted glue. (Like from a hot glue gun.)

Dried flowers mixed with fresh flowers can create a very unique and beautiful flower arrangement, you’ve just got to prep it! Thanks for your question, Dave! Hope this helps!

Comments

  1. It is also very important to cut the stems of roses (and most other flowers) underwater and quickly get them into a vase with water and a combination of flower food and bactericide after cutting. Most often, when roses bend at the neck, it is because they have an air bubble in their stems that prevents proper hydration.

    If they haven’t been in the water very long, they can often be recut and then put back in water with flower food. Support the necks with paper so they will harden up straight and they will usually last for quite a while longer than they otherwise would. I also strongly recommend cutting the stems with a knife instead of clippers or scissors as the knife won’t crush the capillaries which can make it harder for flowers to drink efficiently.

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