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Treatment
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| ¤ Coolers.. |
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Flowers must be kept cool. Ideally a flower cooler is 0-2 degrees celcius. You should have a cooler that allows customers to see the loose flowers and arrangements that you have for sale. You may also need a cooler to use for storage of bulk amounts of flowers and greens, arrangements for delivery in the near future. Some flower shops have their designers pull flowers for designs from the display cooler, some keep them separate. There is no argument for or against these two ideas-as long as you are keeping a good rotation on your flowers. The first in should be the first out!
Rose care
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Removal of thorns prior to hydration is not advised but should not harm flower longevity as long as stems are not damaged and preservative solution is used.
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Remove any foliage that will fall below the water level and cut 1-2 inches off the stems underwater with a sharp knife.
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Leave plastic sleeves on flowers for support during hydration. For maximum hydration, place freshly cut stems in preservative solution at room temperature for four hours. Carefully follow instructions on the preservative label. Then transfer to cooler at temperatures between 0° - 02° C and relative humidity of 80-92%.
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Loosen or remove the plastic sleeves once hydration is complete to prevent flower bruising during opening.
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Replenish flower preservatives and change water as often as possible because flowers drink and respire everyday.
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A dehydrated and / or 'bent-neck' Rose may be revived by re-cutting underwater and immersing in a preservative pre-treatment solution.
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Keep your coolers clean and free of plant material debris. Spores of fungus and bacteria will multiply in an unclean environment. These are the enemy of long lasting beautiful flowers! The freshest flowers will not perform well when mildew, fungus and bacteria are attacking them. A mild solution of bleach and water should be used to disinfect cooler surfaces and all buckets that are used to store flowers.
Change the water in your cooler buckets at least weekly. Bacteria will thrive in dirty water.
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¤ Use Preservatives..
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Use Preservatives! Preservative is not always a bad word, but if it bothers you, try "post harvest care solutions". Post harvest is a fancy term that is currently being used when referring to any process that is done to flowers once they have been cut from the plant.
Carefully follow the instructions of your Wholesale Florist on the use of preservative solutions. These solutions contain not only the food (sugar) that flowers need to develop, but also antibacterial agents and in many cases citric acid for hydration. Specialized solutions contain other agents that have been proven to solve aging problems in specific flowers. There are many manufacturers of post harvest solutions. Each has a branded line of products. For the most part, they all have the same elements but they are packaged and marketed differently. Here are some sources of manufacturers. You will not be able to buy from them directly, but any Floral Supply Wholesaler will carry one or more of these lines. If the wholesaler does not carry preservatives--you can source them from
Floralife:www.floralife.com
Syndicate Sales:AquaPlus Productswww.syndicatesales.com
Smithers Oasis: OasisClear Solutionswww.smithersoasis.com
Do not store fruit in your coolers. Fruit produces ethylene gas-this is a natural plant hormone that causes aging of plant material.... As fruit ripens, it gives off ethylene... that ethylene triggers the early death of fresh flowers. It can cause curling of petals in many ethylene sensitive flowers.
Educate yourself on proper care and handling. The Chain of Life network provides an up to date compilation of the best practices for handling flowers from the grower to the consumer for longest life and value. Research is on-going and recommendations change as more is learned. It pays to stay informed.
Educate your customers on proper care and handling.
The Society of American Florists has a site aimed at flower consumers: www.aboutflowers.com. It offers excellent information about flowers, how to choose, buy and keep flowers in the home. Take time to read all of it... especially the section on Flower Care. When your customers have great results with the flowers they buy from you, they will come back!
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¤ Blooming Beginnings - Extra care of fresh cut flowers can prolong the enjoyment period. Following are some tips to help get fresh cut flower arrangements off to a good start:
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Cool Off - While preparing to put the flowers in a vase, store the blooms in a cool place.
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Keep it Clean - Vases, floral clippers and knives should be clean. How clean the tools and container are can truly affect the presentation and life of the flowers. Wash the tools and selected flower container with a detergent or antibacterial cleaning solution.
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Food for Thought - Commercial flower food solution is a must. Follow the mixing instructions on the flower food packet. Most packets should be mixed with either a pint or a quart of water. Flower foods should not be diluted with more water than is specified.
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Leaf 'Em Out - If the leaves on the stems will fall below the water line, remove. Leaves in water will promote bacterial microbial growth that may limit water uptake by the flower.
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Under the Knife - Re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife while under running warm water. Place the flowers in the vase solution you've prepared.
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Climate Control - Keep fresh flowers out of direct sunlight and away from drafts (like air vents, heater vents, or fans).
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¤ Maintenance Musts - To prolong the life of fresh cut flowers, maintenance is a must. It is important to re-cut stems and change water often. The Flower Doctor offers these other things to consider:
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Do Downsize - The once appropriate sized vase may be too big once the stems are cut. Move to a smaller vase and rearrange.
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Maximum Enjoyment - Don't be afraid to separate flowers into different groupings and move them into different rooms of your home as the stems get shorter and the vase gets smaller.
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Maximum Enjoyment - when flowers are coming to the end of their life cycle, cut the stems 1/2" from the blooms and float them in a bowl of water (maybe accompanied by some floating candles, stones, or marbles). Lay blooms and petals on a plate with some candles or in a bed of potpourri to let them dry naturally
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