Thursday, March 20, 2008

Florist Cards - The Perfect Accompaniment

Just as strawberries are perfectly accompanied by cream, so in most cases you would not dream of sending out a bouquet of flowers without some form of message or greeting card. They go hand in hand meaning literally thousands of card changing hands every year.

With a peak periods of Valentine's and Mother's Day just around the corner, the demand for cards is all set to rise, with this year predicted to be a bumper one for customers looking for the special card to accompany their special gift. And, with stories of customers even buying bunches of cheap flowers from supermarkets and popping down the road to their florist for the luxury message card, money is to be made from selling them.

But why are cards such a fundamental part of floristry? It is simple. Sending card with flowers personalises them. Flowers are a generic gift, so adding a card with a message makes it more special and allows those all important personal sentiments to be conveyed.

One of the tougher questions facing florists though is what cards to carry, how much variety they should offer customers and how many designs there should be. The answer varies from shop to shop, but cards should be able to cover the usual range of reasons as congratulations, funerals, thank you, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, birthday, anniversary and the like.

However, they don't have to actually have these words on the cards. A range of blank cards with simple designs, can offer the spectrum of reasons to send flowers. It is probably better to have a selection of contemporary and traditional cards to please all clients.

To find out more about modern, eye-catching greeting cards and florist cards designs I would recommend visiting Lotus Art Studio website.

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Monday, March 3, 2008

A Critique of Online Florists

Probably the idea of online florists doesn't appeal to you because you accept picking out flowers as a very personal act. It's not just the rose, the violets or whatever flowers you are buying, you want to smell them and examine them carefully before buying them. Many people find it weird that anyone would want to buy flowers online. I also can't seem to get used to this strange idea. However, according to a recent survey, the business of online florists is blooming. It is amazing to see how important convenience has become nowadays.

Most of the appeal of online florists has to do with packaging. Of course, when buying flowers online you cannot actually look at them. This might be a disadvantage for the online florists or an advantage; it all depends on where you are looking the situation from. Even though you don't see the actual flowers you buy, the online florist will show you a picture of the perfect bouquet, so you will think that everything will be fine. However, the flowers you buy will never look as gorgeous as the carefully arranged and photographed bouquets you've seen online.

There is one thing I really like about online florists and actually this is what made me use one for Valentine's Day. I wanted to buy a very special bouquet for my girlfriend. However, most florist shops have a poor selection of flowers. Of course, the local flower shop cannot afford to have a great variety of flowers in stock as they lack a large warehouse. The online florists have much greater selection of flowers, they stock thousands of different flowers because they run a large warehouse that can ship all over the nation. Some florists online even allow you to custom arrange a bouquet. I just love that idea.

There is no doubt that the greatest advantage of the online florists is that they deliver flowers all over the country. Getting flowers from someone you know - a friend, a family member or a loved one is always a pleasant surprise, especially if these people are far away from you. Flowers bring memories to live, they provide a reminder why you like the sender and they are one of the few things that everyone loves receiving, especially if they've been sent from our significant other.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning gardening. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Online Florists

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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

A Florist's World

A Florist's World

How pleasant it is to enjoy the aesthetics of a vase full of colorful and aromatic flowers. Flowers are known to have positive effects on our moods, perhaps due to the fact that they are a living creation of art, and thus the bilateral relationship developed with their owner -- flowers offer their beauty in return for their owner's attention and watering. This living relationship is not the flowers' sole relationship. Don't be alarmed, your darling flowers aren't cheating on you! But your flowers have already shared a vital relationship with the florist, who decides which flowers to buy and where to buy them from, who takes care of the flowers even before they are in her possession, and who certainly leaves a personal touch on the flowers, using the talents of artistry and style to create a bouquet you won't want to take your eyes off. Thus, it is the florist who prepares your flowers for you -- not only in the beauty of a bouquet, but also in the care that the flowers will expect us to continue giving them.

Thanks to today's leaps in technology, specifically communication and transportation, a flower growing in Mexico, for example, can be transported to France within the span of twenty-four hours. Of course, this seemingly simple statement involves a lot of work. A good florist will scan the world market for quality and prices. Naturally, flowers that can be bought locally will be, as they will have less distance to travel, and arrive at the florist's shop quickly and safely. Since, however, freesias don't often bloom near London in January, a large quantity of cut-flowers do use their frequent flyer cards as they make the trip from this to that country, or this to that continent. Needless to say, extreme care goes into preparing these travelers for their voyage. When flowers are coming right from the grower to the florist, they are usually cut right before leaving for the airport (talk about last minute preparations!) and prepared in the trucks on the way to the airport. Flowers that retain water well are laid flat in boxes, while more perishable and exotic flowers are guarded by individual water holders on the stem. In this manner, the well-prepared flowers make their trip. Most flights for these delicate passengers will be extra cool to provide for a most enjoyable flight. Upon arriving, the flowers are transported to cooled trucks which take them to the florist. This exchange -- directly from the grower to the florist -- is ideal, as the flowers spend less time traveling from here to there, and the costs won't be increasing as the flower quality is decreasing.

The florist keeps track of the above-mentioned process to ensure the fresh and happy arrival of her materials. Upon receiving the packaged-up bundles of joy, the florist is like a new parent for a few minutes, unwrapping the flowers with utmost care, in order to get the flowers the nutrition and safety they need. However, during the caring and feeding, the florist will consider the new arrivals with much more scrutiny than would the parent of a newborn (or so we hope), checking for imperfections and making sure quality is first-rate. Once the flowers are cut to appropriate lengths and safely refrigerated in water, the florist communicates to the grower that all is well, and ideas are exchanged for future interactions. Communication is a large part of the florist's job, and this conversation with the grower was certainly not the first, and will not be the last.

A good florist, while being a client of the grower, is also a seller, and knows the importance of communicating with people like you -- her clients. And communication with a florist is important. In a job that requires such care for living flowers, as well as artistic talent in arranging, the busy florist is never too busy to hear your input, and in fact needs this important information: if the client is to be happy with the result, communication must be strong between the florist and client. Flowers truly can convey what words cannot say, so the specifics of what type of event, who they're for, preferences in colors, flowers, textures, even the types of leaves used to give the bouquet body, is important information. Specific holidays, such as Valentine's Day or Mother's Day will also influence the client's choices. The florist needs your feedback to create the right bouquet. Watching a florist at work certainly gives the impression of an eccentric or a mad genius at work. Suddenly, a flower that was placed with such care is pulled out of the bouquet with a displeased look, then placed almost identically back in its place. But something is different, and the florist continues working with an appeased mind. Florists are artists, and take care to create the perfect picture, whether it is one conveying carefree joy or somber mourning.

When admiring your bouquet sitting on your dining room table, keep in mind that the florist who arranged it has done much more than arrange. The florist ensures that the quality of the flowers is top notch even before laying eyes on them. The quest for the freshest flowers is now an international search, and the florist makes sure her flowers are treated like first-class passengers during their trip to her store. Once at her door, the florist continues the care she started, dexterously cutting and submerging the stems in water. Happily seeing that the flowers are finally safe and ready for the chef d'oeuvre, the florist will create the masterpiece based on what her client is looking for. The florist, a person of many talents, is, at the end of the day, a businessman, a caretaker, an empathetic listener, and an artist.

This article was sponsored by http://www.serenataflowers.com, an independent florist. Serenata provides flower delivery within the UK and removes the costly middleman by buying directly from the grower. Fresher than any bouquet you'll find in traditional flower shops, shop Serenata Flowers for exclusive, well cared for bouquets at reasonable prices.

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Saturday, February 9, 2008

Bridal Bouquets - A Guide to Picking the Right Bouquet for You!

There are so many different types of flowers to choose from that it may be difficult to choose which ones to have in bridal bouquets. You may be swayed by color or fragrance but if you are looking for a bit more of an unusual source of inspiration you might consider the meanings of some of the most common flowers used in bridal bouquets. Here are a few to get you thinking:

  • Amaranthus - Immortality
  • Apple Blossom - Better things to come
  • Baby's breath - Pure heart
  • Bachelor Button - Delicacy
  • Bamboo - Strength, Loyalty
  • Bluebell - Constancy
  • Blue Violet - Faithfulness
  • Camellia - Gratitude
  • Carnation - Fascination and love
  • Chrysanthemum (red) - I love you
  • Chrysanthemum (white) - Truth
  • Cyclamen - Modesty and shyness
  • Daffodil - Regard, joy
  • Dahlia - Good Taste
  • Honeysuckle - Generosity
  • Hyacinth - Loveliness
  • Hydrangea - Boastfulness
  • Iris - Warmth of affection
  • Ivy - Eternal fidelity
  • Japonica - Loveliness
  • Jasmine - Amiability
  • Lemon Blossom - Fidelity in love
  • Lilac (white) - Youthful innocence
  • Lily - Majesty
  • Lily-of-the-valley - Return of happiness
  • Magnolia - Perseverance, Nobility
  • Maidenhair - Discretion
  • Mimosa - Sensitivity
  • Orange Blossom - Purity and virginity
  • Orchid - Ecstasy, Nobility
  • Peach Blossom - Captive
  • Poppy - Fantastic, Extravagance
  • Reed - Music
  • Rose (red) - Love
  • Rose (white) - Worthiness
  • Rose (other colors) - Love and beauty
  • Rosemary - Remembrance
  • Snowdrop - Hope
  • Sweet Pea - Delicate pleasures
  • Tulip - Love
  • Veronica - Fidelity
  • Violet - Faithfulness
  • Wheat - Riches, Friendliness
  • White daisy - innocence
  • Wisteria - I cling to thee
  • Daisy - Innocence
  • Flax - Fate, I feel your kindness
  • Fern - Fascination and sincerity
  • Flowering Almond - Hope
  • Forget-me-not - True love and remembrance
  • Gardenia - Joy
  • Grape - Charity
  • Hemp - Fate
  • Heliotrope - Devotion and faithfulness

    Bridal bouquets should compliment the colouring of the bride’s outfit and accessories, including make-up. Also bear in mind any theme that the wedding is following. Wedding bouquets should be of lighter colored blooms if the event is to be a romantic one or brighter if the theme is a brighter occasion.

    Remember to consult with your florist at the earliest opportunity to ensure that they have sufficient time to procure the required flowers and decorations. The more exotic wedding bouquets are going to be or the more detailed your requirements, the longer your florist will need.

    Find out more about organising all aspect of your special day at http://www.a1-ourwedding.com

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    Wednesday, February 6, 2008

    6 Tips For Making Your Own Wedding Flower Bouquet

    The key to making your own wedding flower bouquet are the three P. First you have to Plan. Then you must Prepare. Finally, Practice makes Perfect. Use these following tips in order for you to make your wedding flower bouquet arrangement a memorable experience.

    1. Get tons of ideas. Flip through magazines and books. Drop by floral shops. Take pictures of the floral arrangements you see whenever you are out in public.

    2. One of the best places where you can get inspiration are 5-star hotels. If you're free on a Saturday, that's the best day you can go because there are weddings set up and are about to take place there.

    3. The more ideas that you have in your head, the more inspirations you have which you can incorporate into your own wedding.

    4. Now that you have tons of idea in your head, go through it by not being clattered. Put all of it in place and in a single perspective. Jot it down on a notebook because it is such a waste if you lose an idea just because you are not organized. Put the flower pictures in an envelope. When you're ready to decide which arrangement you prefer, then throw the photos you won't need anymore.

    5. Decide on a color. Different flowers can provide you with the colors you prefer. From roses to carnations, orchids to iris, their colors can complement the motif you are in your head. It all depends on the flowers that you choose and can afford.

    6. Get help. Flowers are perishable, therefore they must be prepared, arranged and fixed when the wedding is a minute away. If you have tons of flowers, you will also be needing a lot of help.

    Gather the materials you need in one box so it is easy for you to access. Make sure that you have sets of supplies which can make you and your helpers work faster and smoothly. Get clippers, floral tape, floral moss, rose strippers and ribbons. Soon enough, you are good to go.

    To learn more ideas for wedding flower arrangements, visit http://www.weddingflowerarrangements101.com

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    Tuesday, February 5, 2008

    How To Choose The Right Wedding Bouquet Style

    Basically, there are three wedding bouquet styles. The cascade, round or posy, and hand-tied.

    The cascade, as the name suggests, is shaped like a waterfall, more flowers on the top with some flowers flowing downwards. It is mixed with some greeneries to get the natural look.

    The round bouquet, of course is round in shape and have less greeneries but more flowers.The flowers can be of one kind or multiple kinds as long as the colour balance is there.

    The hand-tied wedding bouquet, which is gaining popularity these days, is more casual. It is made from a bunch of flowers tied together with a ribbon and the stems are revealed.

    How do you know which one is suitable for you?

    Your selection will depend on three things:

    • your body size
    • your wedding gown style
    • the look that you want to carry

    If you are self-conscious about your appearance on your wedding day, choosing the right wedding bouquet style can enhance the way you look and probably hide some imperfections around your body.

    Let's say you want to look slimmer on the big day, you would probably choose a cascade bouquet because of the bouquet shape itself. A cascade bouquet is roundish at the top and the pointy at the bottom.This slimming effect is best when you want to look slimmer.

    If you are a tall person in nature, consider a cascade bouquet or a hand-tied bouquet. Never choose a round bouquet. A round bouquet will make you look taller. Added with the height of your heels, you will look extra tall.

    A bride-to-be with big hips should go for other bouquets, except a round hand bouquet. A round bouquet will enhance your hips. To hide it, you should choose a cascade or hand-tied bouquet instead.

    If you like a garden look or a casual look, the only wedding bouquet that can give you that is the hand-tied wedding bouquet. The flowers on the hand-tied bouquet will look like they have been hand picked by you from the garden. You will look natural carrying a hand-tied wedding bouquet.

    If you have a petite body, choose a round bouquet. The size of the round bouquet and your body is balanced and you will look your best on your wedding day.

    Liztiany Zakaria is a flower arrangement hobbyist who does wedding bouquets for friends and family members.For more information on wedding flowers, visit her website, http://www.flower-arrangement-advisor.com

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    Monday, February 4, 2008

    Building a Custom Swarovski Crystal Wedding Bouquet

    I have made Swarovski Crystal Wedding Bouquets for many Brides and I always find that they are amazed when they realize what we can come up with once we decide to "step out of the box" and use the medium to its fullest potential.

    There are many ways to accomplish something unique and stylish without getting too far away from tradition, or if completely "off the beaten path" is your preference, crystal bouquets are by far, the way to go.

    Swarovski Crystal Bouquets are made from crystals that are mounted on stainless steel stems which brings the advantage of any shape or size to your bouquet that you can imagine. The benefits of Swarovski Crystals is that they are incredibly bright and can light up rooms with rainbows in the sunlight or twinkle brilliantly in candlelight, in any light they are breathtaking. Swarovski Crystals come in about 300 different colors so you can coordinate your bouquet with your décor or just your dress.

    Let's start with shapes and sizes… The most elaborate bouquet that I have ever built went from just under the Bride’s princess bodice and stopped just above her knees. It had 600 crystals in it and 60 white, silk roses. It was spectacular. She chose to have it cascade at the bottom just as you may have a traditional wedding bouquet of roses and ivy. You can also have them fashioned in the shape of a round bouquet as you would a hand-tied bunch of daisies or peonies. You may also wish to have them made so that it lays across your arm like a collection of wild flowers. The choice is yours and the sky is the limit.

    Next, let's talk about creating your perfect bouquet by using variations in color… I have made bouquets for brides with a very wide array of hues. I really enjoy when I get a chance to brainstorm with my clients. We touch on her dress to make sure that the style and the accents will work well with our creation. We talk about the décor for the big day, bridesmaids dresses, jewelry, even favorite colors to come up with the something that will appeal to her every desire.

    Some of my favorite creations have been a bouquet that had clear crystals that cascaded around ruby red crystals that I made into the shape of a heart in the middle of the bouquet. This was for a wedding on Valentine’s Day, she wore a white dress that had a wide, red sash around her waste and her entire décor was hearts and arrows. Another Bride wanted me to make all of her bouquets for the party. Each of them had 5 different shades of blue, from baby blue to navy. This looked spectacular next to their Tiffany Blue dresses. And last but not least, I made a bouquet with 300 crystals in it, all of the crystals were the same color, but she chose to get larger sizes that were several different shapes to create interest. There were, round, bicone and cubed crystals, each of them caught the light differently and really made quite a statement on her wedding day.

    I do hope that this helps you to open your mind to all of the different possibilities that are at hand with Swarovski Crystal Bouquets. Whether it is the uniqueness of carrying crystals, the shape, the colors or even the ribbons, I’m sure that it will add something to your wedding day that your family and friends will remember for years to come.

    Penny Olson is the owner and designer for Brilliant Wedding Jewelry
    Make your day sparkle with Crystal Wedding Bouquets. Browse our collection of wedding articles.

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    Friday, January 4, 2008

    Choosing a Bridal Bouquet

    As you plan for your wedding, you’re faced with the question of which type of bridal bouquet is right for you? Before you determine that, you have to first answer a few questions.

    • What kind of atmosphere do you want for your wedding? Will it be formal, casual, elegant or something in between?

    • Where are you getting married? Is this a casual outdoor wedding, an elegant candlelit evening wedding in a cathedral, a simple country church wedding, or a fancy country club event?

    • What is your body type? Are you short and petite? Full-figured?

    • What season are you getting married in?

    • What is your color scheme?

    • Are there certain flowers that you simply “must have” in your wedding bouquet?

    Another important thing to consider is the style of wedding gown you will be wearing.

    • Romantic or fairytale gowns

    With lots of lace, tulle and layers of luxurious fabric, this type of gown lends itself to the traditional cascading bridal bouquet. Keep in mind, however, that the cascading wedding bouquet does not necessary flatter a petite bride. If you’re petite, you don’t want to get lost behind a large wedding bouquet. If your gown has a lot of detail to it, be careful not to order a bridal bouquet that actually competes with the gown, rather than complementing it.

    • Simple and elegant gown

    Think Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn and you’ll have visions of a less fussy gown, designed to show off the beauty of the bride. These gowns are often strapless and have structured lines. Your flowers should be simple and elegant as well, as in a hand-tied bouquet of white calla lilies, a symbol of magnificence. A showy bouquet wouldn’t be your best choice with this type of gown, but a classic clutch bridal bouquet might be the answer. Pastel pink roses would be ideal in a clutch wedding bouquet, the perfect symbol of happiness, gentility and grace.

    • Vintage gowns

    This is a huge category that includes Bohemian gypsy-style dresses, medieval princess frocks, and Charleston swing era gowns. Match wedding bouquets with the style of dress that you choose. Some bridal bouquets simply would not work with some of the vintage dresses. Of course, these dresses are updated to reflect the styles of the early 21st century.

    Make sure that you let your florist or online wedding consultant know exactly what type of gown you have chosen. It would be best for them to see a picture of the gown, preferably with you in it! If you’re unsure of how to pick the style of bridal bouquet that’s best for you, given all of the choices that you’ve already made, rely on the advice from the experts.

    And remember, you’re not restricted to fresh flowers for your wedding. Silk wedding flower packages are available at great prices from many online merchants. They can help you decide if the cascading bridal bouquet, the hand-tied wedding bouquet, or another style is best for you considering the location, the season, the atmosphere, your figure, etc. Silk wedding flowers are a wise choice for budget-minded brides, as well as for extravagant brides who only want the best!

    Bonnie Goodwin Ray has more than sixteen years experience in the wedding industry. She is the author of Wedding Planning Made Easier and has become a leading expert in silk wedding bouquets design.

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    Thursday, January 3, 2008

    Buy Flower Bouquet

    Flowers are some of the best gifts that you can give a friend or loved one for a birthday, anniversary, and get well wish or just because you want them to know that you are thinking of them. Some people may not know what to look for when they want to buy a flower bouquet. Here are some things to keep in mind whenever you decide to surprise someone with your thoughtfulness.

    Make sure that you buy a flower bouquet that matches the occasion. For example, you do not want to send a bouquet that comes with balloons that say “It’s a boy!” for mothers day. You just mixed up a baby bouquet with a national holiday. Sometimes people will say that it doesn’t matter; it’s the thought that counts. This may be true, but wouldn’t make more sense to not only think about the person but also take time to pick a great gift for them?

    You should also keep price in mind whenever you decide you want to buy flower bouquets online or in person. Flower bouquets can range in price from $30-$100+ and can be a simple bouquet or an extravagant spectacle. It all really depends on how much you feel you want to spend on the person. Once again, to them price wont matter, just the thought.

    Something else that is less considered by people when buying a flower bouquet is making sure that what you buy for someone won’t be harmful. For example, if you are sending flowers to someone who is in the hospital and they have certain allergies, then make sure that the flowers you send are not going to aggravate them. Also, if you send flowers to a child for any reason, make sure that the bouquet does not have small pieces that they could possibly choke on.

    The best way of buying a flower bouquet is online, where you can do it during work or at midnight before you go to bed. This is also good if the person you are sending flowers to do not live in the same city or state as you. Most online flower boutiques also have next day delivery for a quick response. As you can plainly see, buying a flower boutique can be a fun and easy thing that anyone can do. All it takes is a few clicks of the mouse and you can tell someone that they are special to you.

    If you would like more information on how to buy a flower bouquet, check out http://www.squidoo.com/buyflowerbouquet/

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    Wednesday, December 12, 2007

    Florist - Send Flowers Long Distance the Easy Way

    I got a phone call the other day from a dear friend asking how he could send flowers long distance. I assumed that everyone knew how to do this. He didn't, which explains why I never received a bouquet for my birthday!

    Sending flowers to someone living far away from you is as easy as sending them to someone living right down the street. If you give flowers frequently, you'll have a trusted florist who will help you send flowers over a distance.

    If you rarely give flowers, you'll be pleased to know that it is easy to do and your recipient will appreciate you for sending a lovely gift.

    There are several options for sending flowers. The easiest and generally cheapest way is to call your regular florist. Perhaps you have a certain shop that you use on a local basis.

    Basically, all you have to do is call your florist, tell the type of bouquet you want them to send, and where you want the flowers sent. Then, your reliable local florist will call a shop in another state with which they have contact, and will put in your order with that florist.

    For acting as middleman, there may be an extra service charge from the local shop on your order.

    Another way to order flowers and assure that your order is delivered is to contact an online florist. If you go to any search engine, you can type in the words "online florist" and come up with hundreds of options. Choose any one of these, go to their online store, find a bouquet that you like, and submit it to be delivered to anywhere in the world.

    One of the greatest advantages to using an online florist is their unlimited access to a variety of flowers, both in and out of season. Prices may be a little higher online, but this is not always the case.

    There are also options that allow you to set up ongoing payments so that you can designate a special receiver to get flowers from you once month throughout the year.

    The secrets of ordering flowers to be sent to someone in another city are really not all that difficult. You can send flowers to that special person all year round with ease. So, go ahead, get on the phone or the internet, and send a beautiful bouquet to someone you love.

    Natalie Shire knows flowers. Her articles about gardening, florists, flowers in general and roses in particular, are found at Florist by Net , Flowers eShop , and Roses By

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    Sunday, December 9, 2007

    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

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