Flower Care

Shipping Satisfaction

When you order bulk flowers from WholesaleFlowers.net, they are cut and shipped directly from our Ecuadorian, Colombian, Floridian, or Californian partner farms (read more about our farm partners here). We know you’re counting on beautiful blooms for your event, and preparing florals for shipping is a process we don’t take lightly. You can rest assured that your flowers will embark on their journey to your doorstep with proper hydration methods. That being said, although we hydrate your blooms before we send them off, your flowers are shipped in a state of “suspended animation” and will be thirsty upon arrival! The most important step is to re-hydrate your florals to help them reach their peak health and beauty.

General Flower Care: 1

1. Remove your flowers from the box by cutting any straps. Do not remove the rubber bands holding the flowers together in the bunch. This will come later!
2. Fill clean containers or vases with at least 4 inches of fresh, cool water.
3. Mix floral food in your water. This is important to prevent bacteria growth and to help add nutrients to your flowers. If you don’t have floral food, you can purchase it at any local florist.
4. Remove any leaves that will fall below the water line in your vase or container. Wet leaves are more prone to developing mold and rot and will cause bacteria to form, ultimately shortening the flower’s vase life.
5. Cut each stem diagonally at a 45 degree angle approximately one inch from the bottom. If possible, complete this process under water or running water using sharp scissors, shears, or a knife. Be careful that your utensil is sharp enough so as not to crush the stem, as this will prevent adequate hydration from reaching the bloom.
6. Immediately place your flowers in the prepared water/nutrient mixture.
7. Allow your blooms at least 4 hours to hydrate. Most flowers will take between 8-12 hours to properly hydrate.
8. Keep your flowers in a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight, drafts, or heat. Flowers should be kept at a temperature between 35-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not refrigerate your blooms!
9. Change the water in your vase or container every 24 hours or whenever the water becomes clouded. Re-cut each stem every 24 to 48 hours to keep your flowers fresh and assure that your stems have sufficient water. This is especially important upon arrival, as your flowers will drink a large amount of water as they rehydrate.
10. Remember that exposing flowers to warm environments will speed the blooming process, while storing flowers in a cool environment will delay the opening process. Be sure to keep your flowers away from fruits, vegetables, and/or plants which produce ethylene gas and could cause your flowers to wilt prematurely. While your flowers are hydrated upon shipment, they may appear sleepy and thirsty after their journey. Don’t fret! This is completely normal. To ensure your wedding and special event florals live up to your expectations, there are a few simple guidelines to follow to awaken your blooms.

To Re-hydrate Your Blooms:

1. Prepare your vase or container and be sure it is clean. The quickest way to wilt a flower is to add it to a bacteria-filled vase.
2. Re-cut all flower stems under water or under running water. Use clean, sharp utensils such as clippers, shears, or knives. Using ordinary household scissors will crush the stems and prevent your flowers from obtaining proper hydration. Cut each stem at least 1 inch from the bottom at a 45 degree angle for optimum water absorption. Remove any foliage that will be under the vase or container water line to prevent bacteria growth.
3. Once your stems are cut, immediately place your flowers into the prepared water. Be careful not to overcrowd the flowers! Store the vase or container at room temperature away from direct sunlight to give them time to drink and recover. This re-hydrating process can take up to 12 hours. If after that time any stems still appear wilted, re-cut following the steps above.
4. If for any reason you want to slow the re-hydrating and blooming process, use cool water and store your flowers in a cool, dark place. This will prolong the process for a day or two. DO NOT store your flowers in a refrigerator!
5. If you are using floral foam material, thoroughly saturate it in water and add a floral preservative. Place your arrangement away from heat, drafts, and direct sunlight, and check often to ensure it doesn’t dry out.
6. Change the water for your flowers every two to three days or whenever it becomes cloudy. When changing water, it is best to always clean the vase and re-cut the stems using the instructions from steps 1-3.

Caring for Roses

You will need to care for your roses immediately upon receiving them. Your roses will be very thirst and may be drooping or appear wilted upon arrival. This is no cause for concern! You by following the steps below, you will be providing care for your roses just as a professional florist would.

At WholesaleFlowers.net, we ship our roses with guard petals to protect the roses during shipping. When you receive your roses, remove the protective packaging and any brown or discolored guard petals. Don’t be alarmed if you remove 5-10 petals per rose. This is not uncommon! Remember that exposing your roses to heat will help the flower bloom quickly, while storing them in a cooler environment will slow the opening process.

1. Remove your flowers from the box by cutting any straps. Keep your roses bundled with the rubber bands and do not remove the cardboard sleeve holding the flowers together. We recommend leaving the sleeve between the flowers for 4-8 hours to give them enough time to rehydrate.
2. Fill your clean vases or containers with at least four inches of fresh, cool water and add floral food to prevent bacteria growth and supply your roses with added nutrients. If you don’t have flower food, you can purchase it at any local florist.
3. Remove any leaves that will fall below the water line. Wear gloves while preparing your roses, as the tint from any tinted variety may seem from the stem and temporarily stain hands and/or permanently stain clothing.
4. Cut each stem on a 45 degree angle approximately one inch from the bottom. Use clean, sharp scissors, shears, clippers, or a knife under running water, and be sure not to crush the stem.
5. Immediately after cutting each stem, place your roses in the prepared water in your vases or containers and allow them at least 4 hours to rehydrate. Roses may take up to 12 hours to properly hydrate – be patient! If you notice that some flowers are still drooping after 3-4 hours, it is possible that an air bubble has formed in the stem. Simply re-cut the affected stem following the above directions.
6. To keep your roses fresher longer, change their water every 24 to 48 hours or as soon as the water becomes cloudy. Be aware that the water color will change if your roses have been tinted. Simply change the water as directed above and assure that your flowers have sufficient water. Check the water level often, as your roses will drink a substantial amount of water upon arrival!

*Note: Our roses are packaged 25 stems per bunch. It may look like there are only 12 roses in your delivery. This is because the flowers are packed in layers to protect the blooms during shipping. Count the stems and you will see 13 roses on the second layer, and 12 stems on the top.