Buying Flowers? What You May Not Know About the Blooming Business.

I was having a conversation with a friend about how florist’s flowers are always so perfect, when the thought occurred to me to dive deeper into what perfect flowers may look like environmentally – and how this subject relates to the health of flower industry workers.

The magnitude of what I’ve been learning regarding the blooming business has never been a consideration of mine; I’ve had little awareness of this issue up until now!

As an advocate in creating a healthy home that leads to a wellness lifestyle, and living in harmony with our environment, I feel this subject is incredibly important for me to share so that you’re more aware as well.

• Imported cut flowers are often flown thousands of miles in refrigerated airplane holds.
• The U.S. is the largest consumer of cut flowers with the majority coming from Columbia and Ecuador.
• The ideal is to get a bloom from field to vase in three days for optimal purchase value.
• Many flowers are grown on flower farms that can exceed 500 acres and have greenhouses at high altitudes to minimize disease, pests, and the control of humidity.
• Flowers are also thirsty plants and contribute to high water use and chemical run off. It has been indicated that the blooming industry has contributed to drought in areas where half the water drawn is for flower greenhouses.
• Transportation and refrigeration for long hauls are responsible for high carbon emissions just getting to the U.S. After reaching the U.S. there may be other long-haul transportation guzzlers before reaching vendors.
• Compared to flowers grown in equatorial countries, flowers grown in the U.S. and in cooler climates may constitute the same, or more, carbon emissions from the use of more electricity and fertilizers.

Beyond those issues, I’ve been learning so much more about the workers and those that live near flower farms. I am surprised, and somewhat flabbergasted, that this had never occurred to me!

• The economic impact of the cut flower industry is on a par with other major agricultural products.
• Floriculture workers are exposed to toxins, fertilizers, and insecticides, as well as preservatives to extend the life of a bloom.
• It has been indicated that most of the workers are women and are, in many cases, underpaid and required to work long hours.
• The children of these workers are often exposed to the same toxins from clothing, tools, and shoes.

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HOW AM I GOING TO WORK WITH THIS NEW AWARNESS AND SUPPORT LOCAL GROWERS?

As a consumer who appreciates flowers, here are suggestions that I have gleaned from a recent article advocating for ethically produced and sustainable flowers.

• How far have the flowers traveled?
• Were they ethically and sustainably produced? (There is a Fairtrade certification process in place with many retailers)
• Who benefits from the purchase in the supply chain?
• Buy local whenever possible!
• How can I reduce waste? (Includes packaging, taking your own vase, using environmentally friendly products vs florist foam, planting your own garden and following florist instructions to maintain blooms longer.)

I am so pleased to share my thoughts on how we can enjoy the blooming business and beautiful cut flowers, and how it all fits into the puzzle of living with wellness and environmental harmony in our own healthy homes.

LET’S BEGIN A CONVERSATION TODAY! If you’re buying flowers locally, who is selling them? Do you know of other local flower growers that we can support? I’d love more of us to support as many local florists as we can!