Rubber Bands for Fresh-Cut Flowers: Essential for Growers, Wholesalers, and Florists
SUMMARY:
- Role in the Floral Industry: Rubber bands are essential for bundling, securing, and transporting fresh cut flowers across the supply chain—from growers to florists.
- Importance: They help growers sort and secure flowers, florists bundle stems, and prevent premature blooming.
- Choosing the Right Size: Rubber bands vary in size (length, width, thickness) to suit different flower types and stem sizes without causing damage.
- Advantages: They are elastic, moisture-resistant, flexible, and prevent stem damage, ensuring flower quality.
- Sustainable Options: Eco-friendly biodegradable rubber bands are available.
Rubber bands are crucial in the fresh-cut flower industry, from harvesting to floral arrangements. Flower growers, wholesalers, and florists rely on rubber bands to bundle, secure, and transport flowers efficiently. Whether used to hold freshly cut stems together in the field, sort and package flowers for wholesale distribution, or create bouquets for retail, rubber bands are an essential tool in the floral supply chain.
Why Rubber Bands Are Essential in the Floral Industry
Rubber bands are used and re-used along the chain of fresh-cut flower production in the following ways:
- For Growers & Wholesalers: During harvesting, fresh-cut flowers must be sorted, bunched, and secured for transportation. Rubber bands provide the flexibility and speed needed to keep bunches intact while accommodating variations in stem thickness and count.
- For Florists: Once flowers arrive at florists' workshops, rubber bands continue to serve an essential purpose in bundling stems for arrangements, keeping bouquets neat, and even securing petals (such as tulips) to prevent them from opening prematurely.
Selecting the Right Rubber Band Size for Fresh-Cut Flowers
Selecting the Appropriate Rubber Band Size
Choosing the right size of rubber band is crucial to ensure a secure hold without causing damage to the flowers. Rubber bands are measured by three dimensions: flat length, width, and thickness.
- Flat Length: The length of the band when laid flat.
- Width: The distance from one edge to the other when the band is laid flat.
- Thickness: The wall thickness of the band.
The selection of the appropriate rubber band size depends on the type of flowers being bundled, the thickness of their stems, and the number of stems per bunch. Rubber bands need to provide a firm hold without applying excessive pressure that could damage delicate stems.
Koch & Co® offers a range of rubber band sizes to suit different applications in flower growing, wholesale distribution, and floristry:
- Size No.10 – 35mm length x 1.5mm width (Ideal for smaller stem bunches)
- Size No.12 – 42mm length x 1.5mm width
- Size No.16 – 60mm length x 1.5mm width
- Size No.30 – 50mm length x 3mm width (Suitable for thicker stems and medium-sized bunches)
- Size No.32 – 75mm length x 3mm width (Best for large bunches with thicker stems)
Since different flower varieties have varying stem thicknesses, wholesalers and growers must choose rubber bands that provide the right tension to secure bunches while allowing for hydration and handling during transit.
Advantages of Using Rubber Bands for Fresh-Cut Flowers
There are several reasons why rubber bands remain the top solution for securing fresh-cut flowers.
- Elasticity & Strength: Rubber bands can accommodate different stem counts and thicknesses while maintaining a secure hold.
- Moisture Resistance: Unlike other bundling materials, rubber bands remain durable in cold storage, transportation, and floral hydration processes.
- Non-Damaging & Flexible: A well-selected rubber band keeps flowers in place without crushing stems, preserving the quality of the flowers.
Sustainable & Biodegradable Rubber Bands
Koch & Co® supplies sustainable and biodegradable rubber bands made from natural rubber. These environmentally-friendly options provide the same elasticity and strength as standard rubber bands while offering an eco-conscious alternative for growers, wholesalers, and florists who prioritize sustainability in their operations.
Rubber bands are a vital yet often overlooked component of the fresh-cut flower industry. From growers harvesting flowers in the field to wholesalers preparing shipments and florists arranging bouquets, the right rubber bands ensure efficiency, organization, and the preservation of flower quality. By choosing the correct size and type, flower professionals can streamline their operations while maintaining the integrity of their floral products. For more florist insider tips, see our blog Guide to Flower Food: Best Practices for Extending Vase Life.