General Flower Care FAQ
There are flower care solutions readily available to assist in extending flower life and improve flower quality. The four basic types of flower care solutions are as follows:
1. Hydration Solutions – Keeps flower stems free flowing when taking solution, usually done prior to shipping to retail customers and consumers. Hydration solutions is typically used by wholesale florists as part of a two-step process—hydration solution for one to two hours followed by a flower food until the flowers are sold because hydration solutions do not contain any nutrients (sugar).
2. Flower Foods – Flowers need a source of energy once plucked from the earth, predominately in the form of sugars to maintain life. Flower foods were developed to help retailers and consumers increase the vase life and opening of their flowers.
3. Anti-ethylene Treatments – Ethylene is a plant hormone, which reduces the vase life of many cut flowers. Anti-ethylene treatments should be used by growers to ensure that flowers are protected immediately after harvest.
4. Specialized care solutions – A new process of flower care solutions that complements existing hydration, flower food and anti-ethylene substances.
Flower Food Sachets & Liquids FAQ
Floralife Clear Professional® Flower Food FAQ
Floralife Quick Dip FAQ
Floralife Finishing Touch® Spray FAQ
Flower food contains three key ingredients that help in maximizing the vase life of a flower: a mixture of sugars and carbohydrates, which is an energy source for the flowers, antibacterial agents which kills bacteria in the water and a pH regulator, which helps water travel faster through the stems. Overall, flower food in sachets and liquid form provides the necessary nutrients needed for optimum maintenance, development and colour for flowers, which water alone can’t provide.
Always read the instructions provided on the back of products before applying. Be careful of overdosing and underdosing.
Yes, in some cases you can overfeed your flowers. This happens when there is too much sugar from the flower food in the water and causes bacteria to grow which harms the flowers. Underfeeding occurs when not enough flower food is provided and subsequently, your flowers will not have the extra energy to last longer. Note: follow the dosing instructions on the package.
It is best to always dissolve the entire packet of flower food into the properly measured amount of water indicated for use on the packet. If the packet says it treats 1 quart or 1 litre of water, make sure you add all the contents to this amount of water and mix.
Yes, you can use all flower foods with all types of flowers, but there are specially formulated flower foods for specific flowers. Roses, bulb flowers and Chrysanthemums and some varieties of orchids are some examples of flowers where specific solutions/sachets are available.
Yes. It’s recommended to soak floral foam in a flower food solution rather than plain water. Never push/force floral foam underwater, let it sink on its own to prevent air bubbles.
It is recommended to provide flower food packets to consumers when they make their purchases. Vase life can double and quality will be maintained longer when flower foods are used by consumers (see our experiment here).
All Floralife® flower foods have consistent product quality which will positively perform for at least 2 years under ambient storage conditions.
There are three main ingredients in flower food – carbohydrates (sugar), an acidifier to the pH (citric acid) and a biocide (bleach) which helps diminish any bacteria and fungi.
Yes, slightly. A warm solution increases the temperature of flowers, which is beneficial if you want your flowers to open faster. However, this method does not help the flowers last longer. A chilled solution allows your flowers to get properly nourished and hydrated, as the cool solution slows down flower metabolism – slowing down its life cycle, making the flowers last longer.
Yes. Flower food becomes a clear solution in any type of vase, however we don’t recommend flower food to be used with metallic. The flower food could damage the metal over time and perhaps negatively affect the chemistry of the flower food.
Yes. Flower food needs to be diluted with water and needs to be mixed with the proper concentration to provide maximum benefit to flower longevity. Dosage dispensing systems accurately measure, mix and dispense flower food, providing consistency.
The water in the vase needs to be changed every 2-4 days according to the water condition. If water discolouration begins to occur, change the water sooner rather than later.
You should not top up the water. Instead, always make a new/fresh mixture for your flowers every 2-4 days.
This product is used during the transport and storage stage of cut flowers as a conditioner for increased freshness.
Dispense 2 tsps (10ml) per one quart (950mL) of water. Alternatively, use an automatic dosing system at the rate of 1:100 (1%).
Replace the solution within a one week time period.
On average, there is a 20% or more increase in vase life compared to using plain water with many cut flower types. There will be variability dependent upon flower type, variety, if any postharvest pre-treatments were used prior to using Floralife Clear Professional® Flower Food plus how temperatures and diseases were controlled during the flower chain process.
There is no need to chill or warm up water when you use flower food.
It is best to utilise an automatic dosing injector system to accurately measure, mix and dispense the solution. Alternatively, follow the instructions on the product.
Overdosing and underdosing could damage the flower stems, leaves and flowers, which decreases its life instead of increasing its longevity.
Floralife Clear Professional® Flower Food, as well as all other Floralife® flower foods, has consistent product quality which will positively perform for at least 2 years under ambient storage conditions.
It is best to keep flower food at temperatures between 5 to 20° C for greatest efficiency.
Always keep the container closed as this reduces the risk of contamination and maintains the length of shelf life.
Yes. Floralife Quick Dip can be used on all types of flowers, even premade bouquets.
Floralife Quick Dip is a ready-to-use product, therefore no dilution or mixing is required. Simply open the bottle and pour 2 inches worth of contents into a clean, shallow plastic or glass container. The container should be wide enough to dip several stems at a time.
This is an acidic product, which can lead to discolouration of tissue if stems are left for too long.
It’s not recommended to use the solution for more than two days in total. Use new solution from the original container once the solution is contaminated.
Floralife Quick Dip is a hydration treatment which combats two postharvest issues to improve flower freshness. The solution lowers water pH and keeps the flower stems flowing freely for full hydration.
The first issue is when the flower capillaries becomes blocked and plugged from air bubbles or dirt particles. The second is when a flower is placed in a stressed environment, such as heat or lack of available moisture, causing air blockage in the plant’s waterway.
The function of hydration solutions is to increase the ability for the flower stems to take up more food (liquids).
It’s important to use a hydration solution for flowers after a period of dry transport. The solution improves the flow of liquids through the flower stems by clearing air and natural compounds blocking the stems.
No. Floralife® Quick Dip is intended to be applied to the flowers before flower food. Mixing the two products together throws the chemical formulation out of balance and could shorten vase life.
It is a scientifically engineered solution used to refresh, hydrate and protect fresh flowers, foliage and potted plants. The spray prevents premature flower petal drop, dehydration, wilting and browning. This is usually applied as the last step before arrangements leave the florist shop.
Floralife Finishing Touch® Spray is a ready-to-use product and doesn’t need to be diluted. Shake the bottle well before and during use.
You can apply this spray on all plants and flowers and won’t damage flower petals that are already open.
You only need to apply the product as a fine mist spray with light coverage.
Allow the flower to completely dry after spraying before putting into a cooler or delivery. This reduces the chance of wet leaves and flowers encouraging fungal diseases in the cooler.