General Flower Care Principles

Initial Processing

• Clean cuts: Use sharp, sterilized tools to cut stems at a 45-degree angle under running water
• Stem length: Cut 1-2 inches off the bottom of each stem upon arrival
• Remove foliage: Strip all leaves that would sit below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth
• Hydration: Place flowers in clean, cool water immediately after processing

Water Quality and Temperature

• Use clean, lukewarm water (100-110°F) for most flowers
• Add commercial flower food or create homemade solution (1 tsp sugar + 1 tsp bleach + 2 tsp lemon juice per quart of water)
• Change water every 2-3 days or when it becomes cloudy
• Maintain water pH between 3.5-5.0 for optimal uptake

Storage Environment

• Temperature: 33-35°F for most cut flowers
• Humidity: 80-90% relative humidity
• Air circulation: Gentle airflow without direct drafts
• Light: Minimal exposure to prevent premature opening

Flower-Specific Care Instructions

Roses

Varieties: Hybrid tea, garden roses, spray roses, garden varieties

Special Care:

• Cut stems under warm water to prevent air bubbles
• Remove thorns carefully to avoid damaging stem
• Recut stems every 2-3 days
• Mist petals lightly but avoid water on foliage
• Store at 33-35°F with high humidity

Conditioning: Plunge in warm water for 30 minutes before arranging

Longevity: 5-12 days depending on variety and care

Common Issues: Bent necks (dehydration), botrytis (gray mold), premature petal drop

Lilies

Varieties: Asiatic, Oriental, LA hybrids, Tiger lilies

Special Care:

• Remove pollen-heavy stamens to prevent staining and extend life
• Support heavy blooms with floral wire if needed
• Keep away from ethylene-producing fruits
• Provide extra space due to strong fragrance

Conditioning: Cut under water and place in deep, cool water

Longevity: 7-10 days

Common Issues: Pollen stains, ethylene sensitivity, heavy fragrance overwhelming other flowers

Tulips

Varieties: Single early, Double early, Triumph, Darwin hybrids

Special Care:

• Continue growing after cutting – wrap in newspaper and store upright
• Use cold water only
• Keep stems straight by wrapping in newspaper during conditioning
• Recut frequently as stems seal quickly

Conditioning: Wrap tightly in newspaper, place in cold water for 2-4 hours

Longevity: 4-7 days

Common Issues: Continued growth causing drooping, stems sealing at cut

Chrysanthemums

Varieties: Button mums, spider mums, football mums, decorative mums

Special Care:

• Break or crush woody stems rather than cutting
• Remove excess foliage to reduce bacterial load
• Very hardy – can tolerate temperature fluctuations
• Excellent filler flower with long vase life

Conditioning: Crush stems under running water

Longevity: 7-14 days

Common Issues: Woody stems, heavy foliage causing bacterial growth

Carnations

Varieties: Standard, spray, mini carnations

Special Care:

• Cut between nodes (joints) on the stem
• Very ethylene sensitive – keep away from ripening fruit
• Extremely long-lasting with proper care
• Break off side shoots for single-stem varieties

Conditioning: Cut between nodes under warm water

Longevity: 7-21 days

Common Issues: Ethylene sensitivity, bent stems at nodes

Gerbera Daisies

Special Care:

• Stems are hollow and prone to bacterial blockage
• Support heavy heads with floral wire inserted up stem
• Use shallow water (2-3 inches) to prevent stem rot
• Change water frequently due to bacterial sensitivity

Conditioning: Wire stems, place in shallow warm water

Longevity: 5-10 days

Common Issues: Drooping heads, bacterial stem blockage, hollow stems

Orchids

Varieties: Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Cymbidium

Special Care:

• Extremely temperature sensitive
• Mist flowers lightly but avoid water in crown
• Store at 50-55°F (warmer than most flowers)
• Handle minimally to prevent bruising

Conditioning: Cut under lukewarm water, place in shallow water

Longevity: 7-14 days

Common Issues: Temperature shock, bruising, water in crown causing rot

Sunflowers

Special Care:

• Woody stems require crushing or hammer conditioning
• Use deep, cool water
• Support heavy heads if necessary
• Remove lower leaves to prevent bacterial growth

Conditioning: Crush or hammer stem ends, deep water conditioning

Longevity: 6-12 days

Common Issues: Heavy heads drooping, woody stems, short vase life

Peonies

Special Care:

• Harvest in bud stage for longest life
• Store buds dry in refrigerator if needed
• Ants on buds are normal and beneficial – rinse gently if needed
• Very short season availability

Conditioning: Cut in early morning, place in cool water immediately

Longevity: 5-8 days

Common Issues: Short season, ants on buds, opens quickly in warm conditions

Hydrangeas

Special Care:

• Require constant hydration
• Submerge entire flower head in cool water for 30 minutes if wilted
• Use floral foam sparingly – prefer water-based arrangements
• Cut stems under running water

Conditioning: Submerge heads in cool water for 30 minutes

Longevity: 5-12 days

Common Issues: Rapid wilting, high water requirements

Seasonal Flower Care

Spring Flowers

Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Cherry Blossoms

• Generally prefer cooler conditions
• Shorter vase life due to rapid development
• Handle gently as stems can be brittle

Summer Flowers

Sunflowers, Zinnias, Marigolds, Cosmos

• Heat-hardy varieties
• Require frequent water changes due to warmer conditions
• Monitor for increased bacterial growth

Fall Flowers

Chrysanthemums, Asters, Dahlias

• Generally hardy with good longevity
• Many have woody stems requiring special conditioning
• Excellent for extending arrangement life

Winter Flowers

Amaryllis, Paperwhites, Winter Jasmine

• Often bulb flowers requiring different care
• Some prefer warmer storage temperatures
• Limited availability increases value

Professional Tips and Techniques

Extending Vase Life

1. Proper pH management: Use flower food to maintain optimal pH
2. Clean tools: Sterilize cutting tools between different flower types
3. Temperature control: Maintain consistent cool temperatures
4. Ethylene management: Keep flowers away from ripening fruit and vegetables
5. Regular maintenance: Recut stems and change water every 2-3 days

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Drooping Flowers:

• Check water uptake – recut stems under running water
• Increase humidity around flowers
• Reduce temperature if possible
• Check for bacterial blockage in stems

Premature Wilting:

• Ensure adequate water supply
• Check for air bubbles in stem
• Verify proper flower food concentration
• Monitor for ethylene exposure

Short Vase Life:

• Review initial processing techniques
• Check water quality and cleanliness
• Ensure proper storage temperature
• Verify flower freshness upon receipt

Bacterial Growth:

• Remove all foliage below waterline
• Change water more frequently
• Clean vase thoroughly between uses
• Use proper flower food ratios

Quality Assessment

Fresh Flower Indicators:

• Firm, turgid petals and foliage
• Clear, bright colors
• No brown or soft spots
• Stems cut cleanly without crushing
• Pleasant or neutral fragrance

Signs of Age or Poor Handling:

• Wilted or soft petals
• Yellowing or browning foliage
• Bent or damaged stems
• Unpleasant odors
• Premature petal drop

Advanced Techniques

Conditioning Methods

• Warm water treatment: For roses, tulips, and most stem flowers
• Cold water shock: For tropical flowers and some bulb flowers
• Steam treatment: For woody stems and stubborn flowers
• Hammer conditioning: For very woody stems like lilac and forsythia

Mechanical Support

• Floral wire: For gerberas, top-heavy flowers
• Floral tape: For securing wire and creating clean finishes
• Flower tubes: For out-of-water applications
• Grid systems: For supporting arrangements without floral foam

Chemical Treatments

• Commercial flower foods: Balanced nutrition and antibacterial agents
• Bleach solutions: For cleaning and antibacterial treatment
• Sugar solutions: For energy supplementation
• Aspirin: For some flowers as an anti-inflammatory

Storage and Inventory Management

Short-term Storage (1-3 days)

• Maintain 33-35°F with high humidity
• Ensure adequate air circulation
• Group flowers by variety and care requirements
• Monitor water levels and quality daily

Medium-term Storage (3-7 days)

• Consider dry storage for some hardy varieties
• Rotate stock using FIFO (first in, first out) method
• Adjust conditioning based on intended use timeline
• Monitor for signs of deterioration

Emergency Revival Techniques

• Recutting: Always the first step for drooping flowers
• Warm water shock: For severe dehydration
• Misting: For flowers with high humidity requirements
• Aspirin solution: For some varieties as emergency treatment

This comprehensive guide provides the foundation for professional flower care across a wide variety of species and seasons. Regular practice and observation will help develop the intuition necessary for exceptional floristry work.

https://sunny-florist.com