Rain

Rain is wonderful for bushes, especially if they were about to get watered anyway.  It does nothing good for the blooms, however.  Once a bloom has begun to open, rain will seep in between the petals and, in time, rot the bud.  Do one of two things if you can, cut blooms before it rains.  Drops of water act like tiny magnifiers of sun rays and spot petals and foliage.  Even though you may have to cut some before you'd really like to, they'll open in the vase if properly cared for.  Your other alternative, if you can't get to the blooms until after they've been rained on, is to hold them upside down by the tips of their stems right after you cut them and shake them up and down.  Don't shake them sideways.  If you do, especially when holding them near their necks, they'll snap off in your hands.

I know a woman who cuts her roses after rains and clothespins them upside down to her laundry line.  It's true that this does the trick, but I've always suspected she enjoys watching her neighbors' reactions more than she does her drained blooms.

You'll soon realize that some of the blooms you cut are worthy of more than household use.  If you have a competitive streak, why not try exhibiting them?