Winterglads Wholesale Flowers

Cut Flower Care Tips

Flowers do not last well by accident. They last well because they have been treated professionally from harvest right through to the final consumer.

By buying from growers who treat their flowers correctly and supplying our customers with flower food and care instructions, we are forming a ´chain of life´ for our flowers.

In addition, it is the responsibility of a Wholesaler or Retailer to ensure that flowers are purchased at the right stage and in right condition. Each flower must be treated in the way that is best for it.

Tips for Longer Flower Fun:

• Fill a clean vase with clean water.
• Add the correct amount of Cut Flower Food.
• Cut the stems at an angle – never crush or break them.
• Remove all leaves that come in contact with the water.
• Do not add anything but Cut Flower Food to the water.
• Always top up the water, never renew it.
• Do not place flowers in direct sunlight or draughts.
• Have lots of Fun with your Flowers!

Harvesting

Points to remember when harvesting flowers from the garden: Cut flowers in the morning or early evening when the plant´s moisture and nutrient content are highest. Choosing flowers that are almost mature will ensure a longer cut life. Varieties with bloom clusters are best cut when about half the buds have opened. Immerse the stems immediately in a deep container of very warm water. Flowers that grow from bulbs are an exception; they prefer cool water. Stems of flowers such as poppies that exude a milky sap should be dipped in boiling water before immersing in water. Cut stems diagonally to prevent them from resting flat on the bottom of the container.

Conditioning

After harvesting, the flowers should be taken to a cool, dim room to complete what professionals refer to as ´conditioning´. This allows the stems and petals time to recover and to take up as much water as possible before being placed in an arrangement.

You should:

• Always handle the material as little as possible.
• Prepare sufficient pails of water to hold the flowers loosely.
• Hot water should be used for flowers with hard stems such as roses.
• Add floral preservative as directed on the package.
• Remove any foliage that will be under water in the arrangement.
• Re-cut the stems under water about 3 cm above the original cut.

In addition:

• slit hard stems a further 3 cm.
• Fill hollow stems with water and plug with cotton.
• Burn the end of stems that exude milky sap in a flame until blackened.
• Dip the end of woody stems in boiling water.
• Leave the pails of flowers to rest for a minimum of 6 hours and a maximum of 1 day.

Flowers from a florist should already be conditioned. However, if time permits, recondition by re-cutting under water.

Foliage material is improved by immersing completely in water for 3 hours before being placed upright to condition.

During the conditioning period, check for drooping flower heads and foliage, an indication that the stems are not taking up moisture. Remove them from the pail, hold the end of the stem in boiling water for 10 seconds, then return to the pail to continue conditioning.

After flowers have been conditioned, simply cut again one cm from the end of the stem before placing them in your arrangement.