Extending the life of flowers has been a hot topic in the industry lately. Our newest partner, Smithers-Oasis, has products that can sanitize, nourish, and protect flowers for the duration of their lives. It's a new year, which means it's time to stock up on items that will offer you the most bang for your buck. Here are a few of their FloraLife® Products and how they can help you get the best out of your flowers.
Step 1-Sanitize
Clean and sanitize your buckets, tools, work surfaces, cooler walls, or anything that comes into direct contact with flowers (non-porous surfaces only) with a professional cleaning and sanitizing product formulated specifically for the floral industry. Unlike bleach, professional floral cleaning products have a residual effect that helps keep these items clean and sanitized for a while after treatment. For a complete list of FloraLife® cleaning products, click here.
Step 2-Hydrate
Flowers contain a waterway system (xylem) consisting of capillaries. These capillaries act like straws that carry water and nutrients throughout the flower. This critical process is called “hydration.” You can’t underestimate the value of proper hydration to the life of fresh-cut flowers. A flower dehydrated during post-harvest shipping needs a jump-start of water and nutrients. It’s a process with many moving parts! So, to help you achieve optimal results, FloraLife offers these products.
Step 3- Nourish
Flowers need to be nourished to ensure maximum quality and enjoyment. When using a traditional cut flower food, recut stems approximately 1” (2.5cm) using clean, sanitized clippers or knives. Then immediately place the freshly cut flower stems into a properly dosed flower food solution. Use a dosing unit that is properly calibrated, or hand mix the solution according to label instructions. If using the FloraLife® Express Technology flower food products, you can skip the re-cutting step altogether!
Use the Store and Transport solution for storing and displaying flowers. It contains just enough nutrients for the natural development of flowers but prevents them from opening too soon. For a complete list of storage and transport solutions, click here.
Use the Feed solution for flower arrangements in vases and floral foam. It contains all the ingredients needed for the flowers to open beautifully while keeping them optimal. It can also be used to stimulate the bud opening of immature flowers. For a complete list of feeding solutions, click here.
Step 4- Protect
Use a professional finishing spray to refresh, hydrate, and protect your flowers. Quick and easy to apply, this is a final measure of insurance before your arrangement goes out the door. A simple fine mist spray is all it takes to maximize customer satisfaction and extend the enjoyment of receiving flowers! For a complete list of finishing sprays, click here.
Step 5- Customer Care
Educate your customers and the recipients of your flowers on how to care for the flowers. Caution them about placing flowers in direct sunlight, drafty places, or near heating and cooling vents. Remind them to change the flower food solution when needed. And provide flower food sachets with every purchase and delivery – enough to enable consumers to change the solution throughout the life of the arrangement or bouquet. This is your best insurance policy to guarantee that the freshness will continue. Click here to see all the customer care products that are available!
All Details users can now add the Smithers-Oasis product line to their events! Visit the websites listed below to discover more about their family brands.