How To: Keep roses looking fresher for longer

The roses sold in UAE supermarkets and florists have had a long, rough journey to get here. Being weary travellers, they need to be rested and watered before they can be on their best form.

If you want to get the best out of your blooms, don't put them on display right away. Instead, cut the stems at an angle using a serrated knife (rather than scissors) and remove the leaves, but not the thorns. Then plunge the stems of the roses into a bucket of deep, warm water, leaving them to stand overnight.

This cleans the stem, allows it to fill with water and prevents any air bubbles from forming, which can restrict the flowers' uptake of water while they're in the vase.

Change the water every day and after three days cut away the bottom of the stem at a slight angle when it becomes decomposed. As the stems get shorter, transfer to a shorter vase. These simple steps should give you around three extra days of blooms.