Fly Me To The Moon Florists
Your fresh flowers will last a whole lot longer if you follow the 8 secrets for selecting fresh flowers listed below:
1) Selecting fresh flowers is a little like picking out fresh fruits and vegetables. You pick those without bruises or discoloration. They should look new and beautiful. Just don't buy them from the same place you buy your fruits and veggies. Ripening produce gives off ethylene gas which prematurely ages flowers.
2) Find out when your florist gets floral deliveries and buy your flowers on that day or the next. The fresher the flowers, the longer you'll be able to enjoy them.
3) Buy your blossoms from shops that sell consistently fresh flowers. Chances are you won't be disappointed. These flowers have received proper care and conditioning. Read "10 Secrets for Keeping Fresh Flowers Alive Longer.
Most flowers are grown outside of the United States. They have traveled long distances without water. They need to be properly hydrated. Florists always condition their flowers which helps them last longer.
Every florist gets a bad bunch of flowers from time to time. If they always look old they probably are or the flower shop may be buying low quality flowers.
I travel to the New York flower district several times per week to buy flowers for our shop, Fly Me To The Moon Florists . I purchase from some of the finest floral wholesalers in the world. Why? Because I want our customers to have the very best and to feel like buying fresh flowers is not a waste of money.
4) Never buy flowers that are wilted or look faded in color. They will not improve with age. Some flowers, such as slightly wilted roses, can be re-hydrated. Place the entire flower in a basin of warm water and floral preservative. Use something like a plate to weigh it down underwater for approximately 30 minutes. Remove the flower, cut the stem on the diagonal and place it in a vase of water. This will not work with roses that already have a bent neck.
5) Don' t buy flowers that have petals that are closed too tightly. This is especially true for roses purchased from fruit and vegetable markets. They may never open. The grower cut them too early which is why they are so cheap. In most cases, it's best to buy flowers that are beginning to open.
6) Don't buy flowers with petals that are too wide open. When you see pictures of flowers in decorating magazines and books the flowers are almost always fully open. At that moment, the flowers are at their most beautiful. When a flower is at that stage, depending on the variety, it may only last another day or two. If you want flowers in full bloom to decorate for a dinner party those are fine. If you want to enjoy them in your office for a week you'll need to buy them when they are just beginning to open.
7) Train your eye by visiting a good florist to see what fresh flowers really look like. The leaves are green, but not wilted. The flowers have good color and are firm to the touch (though you really shouldn't touch them, because the naturall oils on your hands are harmful to the petals.
8) Remember when flowers are cheap there's a reason. If you buy from a corner market, you may be lucky once and a while, but are you really getting the best bang for your buck if they only last a few days?
Big box stores buy huge amounts of good quality flowers for their various stores. They pay less and sell them for less. When you buy from them be sure to get them the day they are delivered. The longer they stay in the store without proper care, the less of a good deal they will be.
What tip do you want to add to my list?
Mimi
well this is the nice tips shared by you for selecting fresh flowers.
Posted by: Fresh Flowers | 06/15/2011 at 11:47 PM
So glad you found these tips helpful!
Posted by: Mimi | 06/17/2011 at 02:54 PM