Why do flowers need flower food?
Once flowers are cut, they are deprived of the water, food and growth hormones that are provided to them by the mother plant in the pre-harvest stage. In order to allow the cut flower to still bloom in a natural way, while retaining its form, flower colour, scent and leaf colour, we need to supply it with flower food in the vase water. This must happen at every phase of the distribution chain: at the grower, the wholesaler, the florist and the retail level and finally at the consumer level. Interruption of this ‘food chain’ will irrevocably lead to loss of vase life.
All cut flowers benefit from the nutrients in cut flower food when this is absorbed through the cutting edge of the stems. Good cut flower food should contain the following ingredients:
- pH regulators
- Water absorption promoters
- Nutrients
Chrysal flower food provides all the necessary ingredients for full development of buds and blooms, and helps to increase vase life by up to 60% compared to water alone. Chrysal has various kinds of flower food, from Universal to Speciality, from powder to liquid and is available in several sizes.
Conditioning of flowers in store
- The containers / vases have to be cleaned thoroughly beforehand.
- Place flowers in a clean, cold and fresh solution of Chrysal Clear Professional 2 or Chrysal Clear Professional 3 as soon as possible. This increases vase life by up to 60% versus water alone.
- Make sure there are no leaves in the water to prevent pollution. If you have to remove leaves, do this with great care to avoid wounding the stem ends.
Care tips for customers
- Add Chrysal Universal flower food to the water for a longer vase life, up to 60% increase compared to water alone.
- Cut or trim the stems diagonally by 3 to 5 cm with a sharp and clean knife or secateurs.
- Make sure there are no leaves hanging in the water. Do not place sunflowers in a draught, in full sun or near central heating.
- Top the vase up with tap water and extra Chrysal Universal flower food.