Releasing your Inner Flower Expert Gay Smith Chrysal technical manager Nov 2012

Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity” oprah winfrey

Temperature management Avoiding ethylene exposure What affects Flower quality? Production areas Variety choices Temperature management Botrytis control Avoiding ethylene exposure Solution use

For US mkt, 80-85% are grown in Latin America

Temperature is super-important! 1. Stem bending 2. Wilting -- Flower opening 3. Leaf yellowing/blackening 4. Bacteria explosions 5. CONDENSATION Cooler set point = 34-38F

Botrytis- #1 disease challenge Non-specific fungus disease Needs water or high humidity Spreads—cross-contamination Lives on live and dead tissues Gives off ethylene as it develops

Examples of Botrytis

Botrytis Control Respect cold chain Keep blooms dry Work CLEAN!! Allow breathing room in buckets Careful handling—bruising predisposes flowers to infection

Another challenge to longevity… Ethylene gas: Naturally occurring ripening hormone Deadly to flowers in minute amounts

Ethylene Symptoms

Internal and external Sources Fruits, veggies & flowers Combustion engine exhaust Space heaters Cigarette smoke, BBQs, fireplaces, Bacteria, fungi Wounds & bruises are triggers

Avoid Ethylene Problems Buy treated flowers STS as first drink after harvest Ethylene Buster for trucks & coolers Don’t peel rose petals unnecessarily Clean cuts, no ragged edges No deco mosses in coolers No lunches or food in coolers

Bacteria = #1 reason stems get clogged Best line of defense? Sanitation with a professional cleaner Frequent sanitation Sharp tools

If you wouldn’t drink it or drink out of it, neither will your flowers

Everything we do on the front end, maximizes vase performance & customer satisfaction!

Shifting gears: Flower Handling Are you a Stripper? …a peeler …a bit heavy-handed? Do you soak foam in flower food?

Flowers gotta drink!!

What’s in Flower Food? Acidifiers lower pH of tap water Clarifiers keep pollution in check Nutrients provide energy for opening and holding in vase

VOCAB Hydration solutions are all about clean flow (no sugar) Flower foods boost flow, checks bacteria and supplies energy for buds to open

Busting urban myths Aspirin Bleach Pennies Vodka Vinegar Sugar 7UP Boiling water

Get your money’s worth!! b) make fast transfers a) Use COLD water b) make fast transfers c) Allow time for stems to fill d) Avoid stripping foliage e) Use the right solution for the right job f) Handle with care

When “1 size fits all” doesn’t cut it Hard to Hydrate flowers Bulbous flowers Dirty Flowers Sugar lovers Finishing Sprays

For Hard to Hydrate use Chrysal Professional #1 Hydrangeas Garden roses Zinnias Woodies Lysimachia, Veronica Pumpkin Trees Berries Anthurium

Most versatile Processing solution CHRYSAL Professional #2

Specialty foods ~ Bulb Flowers Balanced hormones Increase vase life Color vibrancy Foliage quality All florets open

Whacked-out hormones Super-short vase life Buds don’t open Buds shrivel and drop Foliage yellows FAST Fading color

SUGAR LOVERS need Professional #3 Tuberoses Protea Lisianthus Carnations Peonies

“Dirty” Flowers need Professional Gerbera Pills

Sprays Finishing vs. anti-transpirant Chrysal Glory Hawaiian Floral Mist

Shiny is sexy! Dusty looks tired LEAF SHINE

Of course you want to save! Right solution for the job Get the dose right Quick transfers Top-up w/ fresh solution. No ice Never consolidate used solutions Avoid ethylene Never sell directly from the box DRY, Dry, dry

“Not all birds can fly. What separates the flyers from the walkers is the ability to take off.” Carl Sagan

Thank-you!