The present invention provides a method of preserving cut roses in the absence of a water supply. The method comprises: (a) cutting roses having a flower bud or a bloomed flower； and (b) packaging the cut roses in a container without immersing or inserting the stems in a hydration system. Instead, the cut roses are treated before or during the packaging by applying a preservation composition onto the flower buds or bloomed flowers The preservation composition contains at least 5 ppm of plant hormone selected from cytokinin, gibberellins and combinations thereof. A flower shipment kit is also disclosed.
