Processing Fresh Cut Flowers . . .

Trick the flowers by simulating a cooler environment!

​Planning ahead is critical if  there is a special Holiday or occasion where fresh flowers are highlighted. Properly processing flowers before arranging them can significantly affect the length of time the blooms look fresh. This can be a 2-day process. 

​          You Will Need:
                   Fresh Cut Flowers
                   Clean Cooler Bucket
                   Ice Chest
                   Ice

​Plan to receive the flowers about 3-4 days before the date they will be needed. On the date you receive the flowers, begin processing them by cutting the stems underwater. Place the fresh-cut stems in a clean container and place the container in a bright, warm place. Allow the flowers to drink water for about 8 hours or overnight.

​When we had Rosecliff Florist, we placed the flowers in a cooler after allowing them to drink. There are ways to pretend the flowers are in a enclosed cooler. Place ice in the bottom of an ice chest, remove the lid. Place the container of flowers in the opened ice chest. The flowers need to be at a temperature of about 40 degrees, not frozen. This is similar to putting beer in an ice cooler. Add more ice in the cooler if the water in the flower container begins to turn warm. I like to keep them in the cooler for about a day. Remove the container from the ice chest and create the arrangements.

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Decide on the arrangements needed. What blooms will fit the type of arrangement you desire? Check out the availability of the flowers. Can one place orders for particular flowers in advance? How long will it take to secure the flowers? What is the best way to purchase them? These are questions that need to be addressed when planning to use flowers for a particular date, if a precise motif is desired.

​I do not recommend placing the completed arrangements in the ice chest. This may damage the vases of the completed arrangements. I add refrigerated bottled water to vases when needed.