Abstract: Method and composition for retarding bloom development thereby extending shelf life of fresh cut flowers (16) by "blanketing" and "feeding" techniques. Fresh cut flowers, typified by roses are refrigerated and provided a blanketing confinement within a close environment of an essence of aromatic flower (such as lavender or rose) by the presence of essential flower oils or real aromatic flowers. The essence is, effectively, a vapor blanket. Cut stemmed (10) flowers are initially transported, stored or displayed in a container (18') of fresh water (19), in which a light or expanded magnesium carbonate sediment layer (21) provides cut flower end (14') envelopment for bacterial filtration, oxygen buffering and sufficient water-borne nutritional intake with or without the adjunct blanketing. Additionally, freshness is made determinable by a simple testing process which will anticipate the value of applying or reapplying the carbonate treatment technique.