Florist Or Supermarket - Which Flowers Are A Better Buy?

We have all seen the beautiful displays of colorful bunches of fresh flowers at our local supermarkets.They are usually placed at strategic points all over the store, targeting the impulse buyer. These flowers are full bloomed, bunched in attractive groupings that can be so very tempting.The question is, are these flowers really a good value?

Flowers sold in most supermarkets can, in fact, be very different than those purchased at your local florist. Often supermarket flowers are a lower grade bloom, culled by the grower from higher grade florist quality flowers. These flowers are offered to supermarkets and other chain stores at a reduced price.In many cases supermarket flowers do not receive the proper care and handling when received by these retail giants. Cut flowers must receive the proper care and handling, or their vase life can be greatly shortened. Once processed and cleaned, fresh cut flowers must be kept at a sustained temperature of 38 to 40 degrees in order to increase their vase life. Where cut flowers are displayed is another critical matter.

Ethylene gas is produced by all plants, fruits and flowers as they ripen and mature. The higher the ethylene gas level, the faster fruits ripen, plants flower and cut flowers die. It is very important that cut flowers are stored and displayed at the lowest ethylene gas level possible. I have visited all of my local supermarkets and, have found that all of them process and display most of their cut flowers in open buckets or open faced coolers the produce department! Storing flowers near ripening produce decreases their vase life by several days, this is a proven fact.

You will find that most quality flower shops process their flowers by strict quality standards. Fresh flowers are quickly unpacked upon receipt, fresh cut and placed in preservative solution. Flowers are then allowed to drink at room temperature for several hours before placed in temperature controlled refrigeration. Most flower shops store their processed flowers in closed refrigerated cases under a constant temperature of 38 degrees. Many times these refrigerated cases have ethylene gas filters to keep the ethylene gas level as low as possible.

Over all, I have found the quality, care and handling of flowers at flower shops to be greatly superior to that of the local supermarkets. These factors will greatly increase the vase life of florist quality flowers. Many times price is believed to be a big issue but, most flower shops run daily specials on loose cut flowers that will rival or, beat supermarket prices.

I suggest that the next time you are tempted by the colorful, fresh looking flowers at your local grocer, visit your local flower shop instead. Have them put together a mixed bunch of seasonal flowers and, you will be pleasantly surprised at the difference in quality, service and vase life you find there!

Mark Clark, owner and head designer of Flowers By Edie in Bradenton, Florida has owned floral shops in New York and Florida for over 30 years. He is a certified master designer and teaches floral design for Manatee Technical Institute. Mark has dedicated his time and talent to sharing his floral knowledge with others. Visit his on line shop at http://flowersbyedie.com