1	Conditioning and Storing Cut Flowers and Greens
2	Long lasting flowers important pleases customer happy customers return to the florist when they need flowers in the future
3	Chain of Life developed by the Society of American Florists Helps growers, wholesalers, and retailers lengthen the life of flowers
4	Chain of Life provide information on proper care and handling throughout the marketing chain proper care and handling results in longer lasting flowers
5	Flower deterioration Low water absorption most flower stems are at least partially blocked when they arrive at the retail florist
6	Causes of blockage cutting stems with dull tools cut with shears that pinch the xylem (water conducting tubes in the stem)
7	Causes of blockage bacteria or minerals in the water clog the stem
8	Causes of blockage air can enter the stems at the time of cutting and partially block the stem can become so severe that flowers wilt in their container
9	Loss of water transpiration process by which plants lose water through their leaves
10	Transpiration gases and water vapor move from an area of greater concentration to an area of lesser concentration
11	Loss of Water water vapor moves out of the plant through the stomata (stomates) tiny openings in the underside of the leaf
12	Loss of Water flowers wilt when moisture is lost through transpiration quicker than it is taken in through the stems.
13	Loss of Water occurs more rapidly at higher temperatures
14	Loss of food flowers are still living and need a source of food
15	Loss of food flowers continue to photosynthesize after they are cut must be given the proper light and a source of sugar
16	Disease Botrytis a fungus which causes brown spots on petals
17	Botrytis do not allow flowers to get wet before putting them in the cooler allow wet flowers to dry before putting in the cooler
18	Ethylene Gas naturally occurring gas in flowers that speed maturity
19	Ethylene Gas causes rapid deterioration of cut flowers many sources of ethylene gas
20	Ethylene Gas fruit, especially apples diseased or injured flowers
21	Ethylene Gas rotting foliage below the water line exhaust fumes from cars
22	Symptoms of ethylene premature death flower and petal drop yellowing of foliage
23	Symptoms of ethylene loss of foliage upward cupping of petals - known as sleepiness in carnations.
24	Water quality Hydrationà process where flowers draw water and nutrients up their stems to the leaves and flowers through capillaries
25	Water Quality pH measure of acidity or alkalinity on a scale from 0-14 with 7 being neutral
26	pH pH of 3.2 - 4.5 maximizes hydration floral preservatives commonly added to prolong flower life lower the pH
27	Total Dissolved Solids TDS measure of the dissolved salt and minerals
28	TDS some minerals are beneficial to flowers floral preservatives are formulated for varying water types and pH’s
29	Conditioning flowers techniques of treating flowers to extend their life. Begins when flowers arrive from the wholesaler
30	Unpacking as soon as they arrive loosen paper or plastic sleeves which they have been wrapped in
31	Unpacking flowers will expand as they mature flowers will be crushed if the sleeves are not loosened.
32	Unpacking do not loosen sleeves on roses customers prefer roses in the bud stage
33	Unpacking check for signs of disease, damage or wilting remove damaged or diseased flowers from the bunch before storage
34	Unpacking excessive damage should be reported to the wholesaler
35	Re-cut the stems stems are cut with a knife rather than shears (or sharp shears can be used) shears can pinch the xylem tubes causing partial blockage
36	Re-cut the stems cut stems on a slant this helps them to absorb more water prevents the stems from sealing to the bottom of the container
37	Re-cut the stems stems should be cut under warm water warm water contains less air than cold water
38	Remove lower foliage remove all foliage from stems that would be underwater in the storage container foliage left underwater will decay and lead to bacterial growth
39	Remove lower foliage rotting foliage clogs the stems and releases ethylene gas
40	Remove lower foliage use a glove or rag to pull the leaves off quickly down the stem remove outside or damaged petals on roses
41	Clean Containers and Cooler containers for flower storage should be cleaned with hot detergent solution, disinfected with bleach and thoroughly rinsed
42	Clean Containers and Cooler a 10% bleach solution is used for disinfecting the containers
43	Clean Containers and Cooler there are commercial products available that disinfect, clean and deodorize in one step Non-metallic containers should be used
44	Metal Containers decrease the effectiveness of preservatives
45	Containers should be short enough so that the flowers do not come in contact with the sides of the container
46	Preservatives Place a warm preservative solution in the container prior to adding flowers
47	Preservatives temperature of the solution should be between 100 degrees and 110 degrees Fahrenheit
48	Preservatives extend the life of flowers in three ways: provide a food source needed for respiration
49	Preservatives contain sugar which flowers use to manufacture food to replace that lost through respiration
50	Preservatives provide an acidifier which lowers the pH of the water water moves through the vascular system of the flower at a pH of 3.5
51	Preservatives Acidic solution reduces bacterial action contain a bactericide which kills bacteria
52	Preservatives can be purchased in either liquid or powder form follow directions for mixing the preservative
53	Preservatives too much preservative can burn the flower too little will not be enough to keep flowers fresh
54	Allow flowers to absorb H2O all flowers except roses should remain in the warm preservative solution outside the cooler for one to two hours
55	Allow flowers to absorb H2O roses should be stored in the cooler immediately this treatment allows flowers to absorb the maximum amount of water
56	Allow flowers to absorb H2O at the end of this time for water absorption, the flowers should feel turgid - full of water
57	Allow flowers to absorb H2O flowers that are shipped in the bud stage such as gladioli, lilies, and carnations could sit at room temperature overnight to open up