How to Handle Extreme Heat, Humidity or Dry Climates as a Florist

Water is Your Flowers' Best Friend

Extreme heat, high humidity, or dry conditions can wreak havoc on cut flowers, potentially impacting your business's reputation and bottom line. But fear not! With the right strategies, you can keep your flowers fresh and your business thriving, even in the face of challenging weather conditions. First things first, WATER... Proper hydration is key to flower longevity, regardless of the season, but especially in the blistering heat. Water is the foundation of flower care. The easiest way to ensure your blooms are radiant for your customers. Along with adding proper hydration solution in your water to provide essential nutrients that help blooms stay fresh longer. Don't underestimate the importance of changing water daily – this simple step can significantly reduce bacterial growth that accelerates wilting. Remember, different flowers have different needs, so tailor your hydration approach accordingly.

 

Temperature Control With No Cooler

In the floral business, your cooler is your most valuable asset during the summer months. Maintain optimal temperatures between 34-36°F (1-2°C) to slow down the aging process of your flowers. However, not all florists have a cooler at their disposal, so let's get creative and keep your flowers cool and fresh this sunny season.

Whether you're running a home-based business, working at an outdoor market, or facing a power outage, you can utilize natural cooling methods by taking advantage of cooler areas like basements or north-facing rooms and creating shade when working outdoors. Employ evaporative cooling techniques by wrapping stems in damp towels or placing buckets on cool water-filled trays. Optimize the water temperature by ensuring it never gets too hot, and create airflow with fans in your workspace. Time your processing during cooler parts of the day. Misting flowers can also help cool the air around them; you can install or DIY a misting system in your work area. The mist evaporates quickly, cooling the air around the flowers without soaking them.

Another key factor is to have a room with as high a ceiling as possible. This allows for warmer air to rise while keeping the floor cooler. Low ceilings tend to trap air and humidity. Additionally, clients can investigate CoolBot technology, which allows for AC units to cool rooms down to 40°F temperatures and lower. The pricing for this technology is reasonable and can be a cost-effective solution for maintaining cooler temperatures without a traditional cooler system.

 

Smart Inventory Management

Be prepared to turn over inventory more quickly and potentially limit flower types during hot periods. Adapting your inventory to weather conditions is a savvy business move. During extreme heat waves, stock up on heat-resistant flowers like sunflowers, zinnias, and tropical varieties. These tough blooms can withstand higher temperatures and still look stunning.

Conversely, you might want to limit your inventory of more delicate flowers during the hottest parts of summer. Roses and hydrangeas, for instance, are notoriously sensitive to heat and may not be the best choice for outdoor summer events.

Here's a list of cut flowers known for their ability to handle heat; you can find these and MANY MORE in your Flower Library: 

 

Here's a list of flowers that can be sensitive to heat if not adequately cared for during hot summer months:

 

The Mayesh Approach Cold Chain Management

Maintaining a consistent cold chain is crucial for preserving the quality and longevity of cut flowers, especially in extreme heat. The cold chain process begins at the point of harvest and continues until the flowers reach the end consumer. Here's a breakdown of Mayesh's approach. To start, our dedicated partnering floral farmers are cut and immediately placed in cool water. Then the flowers are quickly moved to refrigerated areas for sorting and processing. This rapid cooling helps to remove field heat and extends the flowers' vase life. Mayesh uses refrigerated transport from farms to our many locations. These transportation methods maintain a constant temperature, typically between 34-36°F (1-2°C), to keep flowers in a state of suspended animation, slowing down their metabolism and preserving freshness.

Upon arrival at Mayesh locations, flowers are promptly unloaded into refrigerated areas. The receiving process is streamlined to minimize the time flowers spend outside of controlled temperatures. Each locations are equipped with large walk-in coolers where all fresh flowers are kept cool and properly hydrated. For our shipping customers, Mayesh uses insulated boxes and cold packs when packaging flowers to florists. This helps maintain the proper temperature during transit. For local deliveries, Mayesh uses our refrigerated vehicles so your flowers are always well protected from natures elements.

 

While individual florists may not have the same resources as us at Mayesh you can adapt these principles to your day-to-day operations:

1. If possible, invest in proper cooling equipment, including a reliable floral cooler and portable cooling units for deliveries.
2. Develop strict protocols for receiving flowers to maintain their freshness.
3. Create a dedicated processing area that is either refrigerated or in the coolest area you have available.
4. Train all staff on the importance of proper processing & handling procedures.
5. Consider investing in a refrigerated delivery vehicle, or at least use high-quality insulated containers for transports.
6. Monitor temperatures regularly throughout your facility and during transport.
7. Educate your customers on proper care to extend the cold chain to the end consumer.

By implementing a robust cold chain management system, you can significantly improve the quality and longevity of your flowers, even in extreme heat conditions. This not only leads to better customer satisfaction but also reduces waste and improves profitability.

 

Strategies for Different Climates

Different types of heat are currently causing havoc on flowers across the country, with both dry and humid climates presenting unique challenges. Each of these heat situations requires a tailored approach to flower care.

Dry Heat

In dry climates, the primary concern is rapid moisture loss, which can cause flowers to wilt quickly. Misting your flowers regularly (2-3 time per day) can help combat wilting from the dry heat. If you do not have a misting system use a fine-mist spray bottle to create a gentle, fog-like spray. Hold the mister about 12-18 inches away from the flowers to ensure even coverage. Aim for a light coating that evaporates quickly, rather than large droplets that can damage petals. Focus on misting the air around the flowers and leaves rather than directly on open blooms. A fine spray can cool the blooms and increase humidity around them.

Group flowers together and mist the surrounding air to create a more humid microclimate. Use trays filled with water and pebbles placed near (but not touching) flower containers to increase local humidity through evaporation. After misting, use a gentle fan to circulate the humidified air, preventing water from settling on petals and promoting even moisture distribution.

Your misting times are critical. Mist early in the morning to prepare flowers for the day's heat. Avoid misting late in the evening to prevent moisture sitting on petals overnight, which can lead to fungal growth. Make sure you are using room temperature, filtered water to avoid shocking the flowers with cold water or introducing minerals that can leave residue on petals.

When preparing flowers for transport or display, give them a light mist before packaging to provide a humidity buffer. When packing, use breathable materials to allow for some air circulation while retaining moisture. Lastly, misting in conjunction with other methods like hydration solutions and proper stem cutting can maximize flower longevity. 

Humidity

Humidity can be just as challenging as dry heat for many flowers. Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels in your shop. These are incredibly cheap to purchase and worth the cost to protect your blooms! A humidifier can help create a more favorable environment for your blooms in dry climates. While as a dehumidifier can prevent excess moisture that can lead to fungal growth. Ensure good air circulation with fans to prevent stagnant, moist air around flowers and open windows during less humid parts of the day to allow fresh air exchange.

Make sure to avoid overcrowding in so your flowers have a chance to breathe. It is also important to remove any decaying leaves or petals promptly, as these can increase humidity and promote fungal growth. Ensure you and your team clean your vases and tools regularly to prevent bacterial growth that thrives in humid conditions. Keep flowers that release a lot of moisture (like hydrangeas) separate from humidity-sensitive blooms (like roses). When packaging, avoid completely sealing flowers in plastic, which can trap humidity. 

Regardless of your climate, always avoid displaying flowers in direct sunlight or near heat sources like air conditioning vents. The cooler and more stable the environment, your flowers will last longer.

 

Innovative Packaging for Florists in Extreme Heat

As temperatures soar, maintaining flower quality during transportation and delivery becomes more difficult. There are LOTS of new fancy techology out there to help maintain temperatures. Here is a quick list of options we have found. Please note, we do not currently use these at Mayesh as we have a complete cold chain process as mentioned above, However, for florist who do not have coolers or temperature controlled delivery vehicles these options are good alternatives. 

1. Phase-Change Materials (PCMs) can maintain optimal temperatures for hours without electricity,
2. Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) provide efficient insulation with minimal bulk.
3. Aerogel-based insulation offers superior temperature control with minimal weight and thickness.
4. Smart packaging with temperature indicators allows for real-time monitoring of flower conditions during transit.
5. Evaporative cooling packaging and reflective materials help maintain lower temperatures without traditional refrigeration.
6. Gel-based cooling systems and Thermal Energy Storage (TES) materials offer reusable, long-lasting temperature control solutions.

For environmentally conscious florists, bioengineered packaging made from materials like mycelium provides effective insulation that's also biodegradable. Educating your staff and customers on proper use and disposal of these materials is crucial, as is staying informed about new developments in packaging technology.

 

Optimizing Your Delivery Process

During hot summers, your delivery process needs special attention. Schedule deliveries during the cooler parts of the day – early morning or evening is ideal. If possible. Use air-conditioned vehicles for transport, if you do not have temperate controlled trucks, to maintain a consistent temperature for your flowers. 

When loading, place flowers in the coolest part of the vehicle, away from windows and engine heat. Use light-colored tarps or sheets to cover the windows or flowers, reflecting sunlight and heat. For longer trips, consider using portable battery-operated (or USB to plug into vehicle) fans to maintain air circulation. Upon arrival at each destination, unload flowers quickly and move them to a cool area. 

 

Educating Your Customers

Your role as a florist extends beyond just selling flowers – you're also an educator. Take the time to provide your customers with care instructions tailored for extreme weather. During your customer consultations, suggest hardy alternatives that can withstand the heat for any outdoor events. Educate your clients on the best practices for extending vase life at home, such as keeping arrangements away from windows and changing water frequently. By sharing your expertise, you not only ensure better outcomes for your customers but also position yourself as a knowledgeable professional in your field.