The vast majority of people enjoy fresh-cut flowers, such as vibrant roses, delicate hydrangeas, refreshing baby's breath, and fragrant lilies.

Faced with hundreds of varieties of fresh flowers, inexperienced enthusiasts may easily get lost in this floral world.

Selecting fresh-cut flowers requires more than just assessing their appearance. It requires understanding the characteristics of different types of flowers to select the perfect bouquet for your needs.

When it comes to fresh flowers, roses often come to mind first. Roses come in a variety of colors, full blooms, and abundant varieties, readily available throughout the year. Let's take roses as an example to illustrate five tips for selecting fresh-cut flowers:

1. Inspect the flower heads:

Flower heads generally come in three states: bud, half-open, and fully open. Buds are freshly cut roses that are still closed, and ready to bloom within 48 hours.

However, tightly closed buds may lead to "deadheading," where the petals intertwine too tightly, preventing them from opening properly. Half-open roses are ideal for home purchase, offering the enjoyment of both fragrance and freshness without the risk of deadheading. Fully open roses are perfect for bouquets, flower arrangements, and events, symbolizing happiness.

2. Feel the petals:

Lightly stroke the outer petals of the flower. Firm petals indicate freshness, while softness may indicate dehydration or imminent decay. Petals on the verge of wilting will droop downwards and show fine wrinkles without luster. Fresh roses have vibrant colors, firm petals, and a glossy appearance.

3. Pinch the stems:

A rose's stem shouldn't be excessively hard, as overly rigid stems may lead to deadheading. Gently pinch the stem; if it lacks a crisp sound, it's normal. However, if you feel a cracking sound, it indicates that the petal has detached from the stem, leading to petal loss. The ideal pinch should occur at the bottom third of the petal with just the right amount of elasticity.

4. Inspect the petals:

The outermost petals serve as a protective layer and can be slightly darker in color without affecting the rose's lifespan. It's advisable to remove any wilted petals promptly to prevent widespread decay. Healthy petals have good resilience and exhibit gradient color changes. Check if the tips of the petals have become thinner, curled, or yellowed due to dehydration, indicating the flower's lack of freshness.

5. Weigh the quality:

High-quality roses have straight, slightly thick stems and a satisfying weight when held. This indicates that the flower is adequately hydrated.

If there's a flower market near you, consider yourself fortunate! Spend leisurely afternoons browsing the market, selecting your favorite flowers, and enjoying wholesale prices. However, be cautious of purchasing excessive quantities, as wholesale transactions typically involve buying in bunches.