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10 June | 2021 C ustomers fall in love with your floral designs as much as the beauty of the blooms. But prized arrangements can fade days sooner than they should from improper care. Maximized vase life is essential to consumer satisfaction, but keeping cut flowers in peak condition requires keen attention along every step of a flower's journey. e more you educate yourself, your team and your customers on optimal flower care, the longer your designs will last, the more joy you'll spread and the more referrals you'll receive. Here are four keys for the entire floral supply chain to ensure the fresh- est flowers for consumers. 1 SANITATION AND DISEASE CONTROL Pathogens are everywhere. Bacteria can accumulate on flower stems or in water any- where along the supply chain. Unchecked, microbes multiply and block flowers' water and nutrient uptake, which accelerates their decline. Additionally, farmers dip or spray roses to prevent fungal Botrytis damage. Vigilant cleanliness from the growers' fields to the retail coolers is critical to preventing flower deterioration before it starts. From the flower fields to the flower shops, supply-chain partners strive to control and E X T E N D I N G T H E enjoyment Four keys to long-lasting flowers, from field to vase. PRO TIP: Keep a spray bottle and rag handy on each design bench for quick tool touch-ups between projects. 2 HYDRATION AND NUTRITION Flowers are 85 percent to 90 percent water. Once stems are cut, flowers lose their natural source of food and water, which keeps them fresh and perky. Air and debris can clog stems, shortening flower life. Flowers need a steady stream of water and nutrients flowing to their cells to maintain peak condition. Flower growers time their harvests and treat stems to maximize hydra- tion before shipping. A no-sugar or low-sugar solution hydrates stems but limits flower development through transport and storage, until you are ready to "activate" them in designs. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Unbox deliveries quickly, and recut stems, if necessary. Place stems in flower buckets with a properly proportioned solution of water and flower food. Dosage matters! Fifty percent of all fresh flower food is improperly dosed. Proper mixing can substantially increase flower life. PRO TIP: Improper hydration can show in ways besides petal and leaf droop. Inspect foliage for signs of dryness or decline that may become evident before affecting the flower itself. 3 ETHYLENE CONTROL At least 30 percent of postharvest flower losses come from ethylene damage. This invisible gas is concentrated around ripening produce; cigarette smoke; and fuel sources (trucks, equipment and prevent contamination. But it's more than just buckets that need scrubbing. Clippers, benches, shelves, buckets and any surfaces that come in contact with flowers should be cleaned regularly. Ideally, flower storage buckets should be cleaned between each use but certainly between each shift). WHAT YOU CAN DO: Create a strict sanitation protocol, and train your team to use it. Sanitize all contact surfaces frequently. Bleach will work, but other commercial products can provide longer-lasting disinfecting benefits. Photo by Michele Henderson on Unsplash

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