Cut Flower Care & Handling

Grower Directs prides itself on the level of "post harvest care" our flowers recieve within our stores. All flowers are inspected, hydrated, and treated with the proper post harvest products on arrival. Nothing is left to chance! Our mission is to ensure that the flowers you take home provide you with enjoyment for the longest period possible

To achieve maximum enjoyment from their flowers, our customers should be ready to do their bit too, with proper care and processing of flowers in the home.

Grower Direct Fresh Cut Flower Food Sachets have been specially developed by industry experts to help fresh cut flowers achieve optimum performance and life in a vase. Each 10 gram sachet contains a mixture of 90% flower nutrients and 10% anti-bacteria agents. Its main function is to assist the flower in opening (thus the high nutrient content) and to retard bacterial growth ( a cut flowers mortal enemy).

The food in these sachets helps keep water clear by minimizing sediment at the bottom of the vase. It also helps flowers maintain their natural colour, shape and fragrance, keeps stems firm and leaves green, and also inhibits the processes which cause vascular plugging in the stem.

When you buy Grower Direct flowers, expect to receive:

1. a Grower Direct flower care sheet
2. at least one sachet of Grower Direct Fresh Cut Flower Food for every litre of water that you will use.

The following steps will ensure that you receive maximum life from your flowers

1. Carefully MEASURE proper amounts of flower food into a clean vase of lukewarm water. Use one 10 gram package of Grower Direct Fresh Cut Flower Food in every litre of water (that's for an 8" vase). When mixed improperly, the high concentration of nutrients (sugar) in food sachets creates a breeding ground for bacteria, that will be worse for the flower than if no food is used at all.
   
   
2. IMPORTANT:  As the water level gets low, you must re-fill vases with fresh solution made with correct proportions of Grower Direct Fresh Cut Flower Food and water.
   NOTE:  For roses, this process should be performed on Day 1 (when you first purchase product), on Day 3, and again on Day 5 to ensure that you obtain maximum vase life.
   
   
3. Use the supplied Grower Direct flower food sachets.  Substitutes for Grower Direct flower food may not be as easily absorbed into the flower and may not contain a bactericide. Use our sachets of flower food to maximize the vase life and development of flowers.
   
   
4. Re-cut stems with a sharp knife. After a flower is cut, certain enzymes close off the wound that has been made. Therefore, re-cutting the stem before you place flowers in water (containing Grower Direct Fresh Cut Flower Food) is necessary for the solution to be absorbed throughout the flower.
   NOTE: Using a dull knife or scissors may crush the stems and decrease vase life.
   
   
5. Remove foliage below water level. Natural secretions produced by the flower may obstruct the vessels in the stem. Working hygienically and removing foliage (leaves) up to the water line in a vase will decrease the growth of bacteria in the water. Do Not strip all leaves off the stem, the leaves help ensure the normal uptake of water.
   
   
6. Keep flowers out of heat and direct sunlight. Bacteria, fungi and yeast grow on stem ends and in the water, and multiply very rapidly. These processes are accelerated by high temperatures and may result in premature wilting of flowers and leaves.
   
   
7. Keep flowers away from fruit and cigarette smoke.  Fruit and cigarette smoke produce high amounts of ethylene gas, which speeds up the natural ageing process in flowers.

Bulb flowers have a tendency to drink more water than they need and thus open too quickly. By storing flowers in very little water (only 1 1/2 - 2" deep), you can slow down the opening process and thus prolong vase life. Be sure to replenish preservative solution daily.