When purchasing flowers from a florist, customers typically look for the freshest looking flowers that they can find. Even the most extravagant or artistic arrangements mean little if the flowers and plants look wilted or dead. Florists know that there is a limited lifetime with cut flowers and plants, and scientific studies show that temperature control is the most important factor affecting fresh cut flowers. Investing in a quality floral cooler could be just the thing your business needs to stay ahead of the competition. From the time a flower is cut to the time it is placed in a floral preservation solution, it has a limited amount of food stored in its leaves and stem. Once the flower is removed from its food source, it begins respirating and expending those resources. Flowers stored at above optimal temperatures expend these resources faster and age more quickly than those kept in a floral cooler. The optimum storage temperature for most non-tropical cut flowers is between 33°F and 35°F, but flowers can easily withstand temperatures down to 32°F before sustaining damage. Contrarily, tropical flowers are damaged when they are exposed to low temperatures and require warmer temperatures to survive, somewhere between 50°F-55°F.
Once flowers arrive in the shop, florists must do their part to keep flowers cool and fresh. The most common mistake that florists make is ignoring their floral coolers. Floral coolers, unlike most commercial refrigerators, operate using high humidity and gentle air flow. This preserves moisture, helping the flowers to look their best and prevents damage to petals and leaves from strong air flow. Most commercial refrigerators maintain a low humidity level as this is best for storing food products, however this type of environment will hasten dehydration and respiration rate, causing early wilting and loss of product. Investing in a high-quality floral cooler will ensure that you have the best environment to provide your flowers for years to come. Remember that it is not quite enough to simply invest in equipment. There are several things that a florist must do in order to make the most of their equipment and provide the best environment for their flowers.
- At least twice per day, florists should monitor the temperature in their cooler using multiple thermometers placed at differing heights in the machines. The temperature of the bucket solutions should be checked, as this will not vary when the door is opened. Completing these checks will help the florist to know if they are maintaining the best environment and also make them aware of any mechanical issues with their floral cooler as early as possible.
- It is also important to ensure that your equipment is maintained properly. One of the primary maintenance measures is having the unit’s condenser coil cleaned at least annually (ideally every 6 months) by a professional refrigeration technician. SPECS technicians are well versed in clearing debris and buildup from condenser coils and are fully trained in all other service procedures if needed.
- Additionally, it is good practice to ensure that all surfaces of the cooler are clean, including walls, floors, and shelving on a weekly basis.
When your floral cooler is ready for maintenance, or whether you are looking to purchase new equipment, call SPECS today and keep those blossoms looking fresh and new!
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