Flower Care

How to love your flowers longer

DO's

Disinfect all surfaces that the flowers are in contact with: tools, vases, containers, processing stations, counters, shelves, cooler walls, etc.
Always use flower food to process fresh cut flowers.
Cut stems with a sharp utensil.
Remove all foliage that would be below the water level in a vase.
Store flowers in a 34-38°F (1-3°C) environment with a 75-85% humidity. Tropical flowers should be stored at 55-65°F (13-18°C).
Immediately remove flowers that show signs of diseases as not to infect the other blooms.
Keep temperature constant.
Always give flower bunches enough breathing room in the vase.
Rotate your fresh cut flower inventory using the FIFO method (first in, first out).
Handle flowers with care to avoid physical damage.

DON'Ts

Do not use softened water to process flowers.
Do not display flowers in direct sunlight, heat, freezing temperatures, and drafts.
Do not handle flowers by their blooms.
Do not wet flower blooms.
Do not display near ripening produce or smoke as both produce ethylene gas which will shorten flower life.
Do not crush stems while trying to cut them.
Do not mix Daffodils with other flowers.
Do not throw flowers abruptly onto any surfaces.
Do not use old or dirty flower food solution.
Do not use homemade substitute for flower food such as aspirin, soda pop, bleach, or copper coins.
Do not remove all foliage from the stem –– only the ones that will fall below the water level.
Do not use flower food in crystal or metal containers.
Do not display flowers in galvanized buckets without using a liner.
Do not overstuff bunches in buckets.
Do not forcibly submerge or plunge floral foam.