Rooting Valentine's Cut Roses: Can You Grow a Bush from a Bouquet?

Cut roses from a florist sometimes sprout leaves in water. To attempt rooting:

1. Use sterile seed-starting mix (soil bacteria block root formation).
2. Cut off dead flowers, insert stems 3 inches deep.
3. Cover with a glass jar or plastic bottle (vent daily).
4. Place in bright, indirect light.
5. When strong growth appears, remove cover permanently.
6. Fertilize monthly with half-strength houseplant food.
7. Keep in pot for a year before planting out.

Success is low—florist roses are greenhouse-grown, often treated with anti-wilt chemicals, and not bred for garden hardiness. Don't be discouraged if they fail.