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Business 60 November | 2021 Business 60 November | 2021 Using a proper fl ower cooler is crucially important to the length of time a fl ower holds its beauty. – Wayne Lauer owner of Flot-Aire Floral Refrigerators in Rolla, Mo., says that for his fl ower cooling units, he has always recommended fl ower storage temperatures between 38 F and 42 F. Perhaps the safest thing to state is that the optimal temperature requirements for fl owers will vary depending on the type of fl ower. For most fl owers, a temperature range between 33 F and 42 F is a rule of thumb—although much research shows that for most nontropical fl owers, temperatures above 38 F are too high. However, for fl owers that are sensitive to cold, like tropical fl owers, temperatures slightly above 50 F will be called for. Aside from temperature, maintaining cut fl ower health is highly dependent on humidity levels in a fl ower cooler, as well. Using a proper fl ower cooler is crucially important to the length of time a fl ower holds its beauty, says Lauer. "A proper fl ower cooler will hold a fl ower for weeks, as long as the fl ower was fresh when initially placed inside." Flower Cooler Specifi cs THE WHAT When is a cooling unit for fl owers not a fl ower cooling unit? When it's not a fl ower cooling unit. For those thinking about using an inexpensive but cool- looking refrigeration system not specifi cally designated for cut fl owers— don't. As mentioned, it's not just about keeping fl owers cool. Unlike a pop/soda cooler in a convenience store or a household fridge, a fl ower refrigerator—regardless of make or model—is designed to gently circulate cooled air to avoid damaging the fl owers. A beverage cooler, for example jets out cold blasts of air. Most important, however, a fl ower cooler off ers the much-needed humidity factor. With an applied ambient humidity ranging from 80 percent to 95 percent, a fl ower cooling unit slows cut fl ower dehydration, resulting in longer-lasting fl owers. Why the 15 percent variance in humidity? Again, it depends on the type of cut fl owers one is storing. You want moist air—not dry air—inside the refrigerator, but, if you see water droplets forming on petals and/or foliage, the humidity is too high. Beverage coolers are designed to generate low humidity levels. Because cut fl owers need high humidity, your inventory will likely die three to fi ve days sooner when stored in a refrigerator not designed specifi cally for cut fl owers. Last, but not least, there's also ethylene management. Ethylene is a gas produced by some—not all—cut fl owers, as well as fruits and vehicle exhaust, among other things. It can cause rapid aging of cut fl owers as well as petal and leaf loss. While lower temperatures and proper ventilation can both aid in the reduction of ethylene production, air exchange via the opening and closing of a cooler's door can also mitigate the eff ects of ethylene. To reiterate, cut fl owers need low temperatures, high humidity levels and gently circulating air, and these things can be achieved only via the use of a true fl ower cooler. Location, Location THE WHERE In real estate, a common adage is "location, location, location," and the same holds true within your fl ower shop's real estate. Even though many fl orists put little thought into where in a shop a fl ower cooler is placed, it does matter. It's a no-brainer that we want a fl ower shop to not only look aesthetically pleasing inside and out but also function perfectly. We have to consider material factors, such as the need for the cooler to be in an easy-to-access part of the shop for both employees and customers. Should it also be located in a spot where it can capture the eye of someone walking past your shop? Or, because you already have a great window display, can the cooler capture attention elsewhere? And shouldn't it also be dependent on electrical outlet placements? What you don't want, however, is to place your fl ower cooler in direct

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