40
March | 2023
Design
Proper care and handling of cut flowers is well worth
the extra effort. Purchasing cut flowers that are grown
and handled correctly, as well as maintaining the flowers
conscientiously in a retail setting, takes extra time and
attention. e payoff comes when customers receive
flower that remain beautiful for the longest possible
time and they become repeat and loyal customers.
What should I do to properly process flowers
upon their arrival in my flower shop?
Remove flowers from the shipping box(es), and inspect
them for the presence of insects or disease. en, cut
about 1 inch to 2 inches from the end of each stem,
remove leaves that would be underwater in the storage
containers, and place the flower stems into a properly
mixed flower food solution. Some flower foods have been
designed so that the stems do not require a fresh cut.
All you have to do with those solutions is remove the
lower leaves before placing the stems into the solution.
Move the flowers to a flower cooler for several hours
so they are well-chilled before being used.
Should I hydrate flowers in cold, warm or hot water?
Research shows that using cold water (35 F to 40 F)
extends vase life. Some flowers, such as bulb flowers, will
open more rapidly if placed in warm or hot water, which
is, generally, undesirable. Once you move the buckets to
the cooler, the flower food solution and the flowers should
already be cold. TIP: Clean your buckets the day before
use, fill them with flower food solution, and place them
into the cooler overnight so you do not have to use ice
or a water chiller to cool the water.
By Terril A. Nell, Ph.D., AAF
Research Coordinator
American Floral Endowment
Top Care and Handng
Quo Awered
The latest research-backed answers to the 10 questions
florists ask most about caring for cut flowers.
