Being in the florist business for over twenty years has taught me many thing, one of which is "you get what you pay for". Premium cut flower that are imported from around the world are available at your local florist only if they choose to use premium cuts. What that means is that there are grades of flowers and prime areas where the best flowers are grown. So much goes into it, the farms caring of the plants, the packing and shipping times, the turnover of flowers from the wholesaler you florist does business with.
Knowing which flowers, varieties and wholesale suppliers to purchase from is an art in itself. In my flower shop I purchase roses that are tried and true. I don't shop by bargain prices because many times it leaves me open to older merchandise and varieties that underperform. When I sell a flower I expect it to last seven to ten days and beyond for my customer. I have had many visits and phone calls after the purchase of a bouquet or arrangement, from customers saying they were so pleasantly surprised to have their flowers for three weeks. Time and time again our rose customers a shocked that the roses not only open up beautifully but last longer than a week. Their usual experience is for the flowers to last less than a week and for rose not to open and then bend their heads after three or four days.
Quality in the flower business is the same as in all other business, "you get what you pay for".
