ocr: STAGE TO CUT SEPALS SEPALS DOWN READY TO : CUT SEPALS UNFURLING - - - - SEPALS SEPALS grow like leaves from just under the roses bud to cover its tip. Sepals unfuri and arch downward to signal that a bloom is ready to be cut. If the sepals aren't down, or if the bud isn't cracked, the bloom won't open after it is cut from the bush.