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Much to do in our flower world!
Not only in 2003, but for many years investigations have been
done. Flowers are tested in different circumstances on vase
life. It is studied what is the best care and handling. What
is the ideal temperature. How transport and storage best can
take place. Do we best put flowers in warm, hot or cold
water? If we must cut the stems with a knife or with a scissors.
What flowers can stand each other and what flowers do not?
And much more of this!
How is it possible that despite of the many investigations
in flowers and plants so many things still go wrong? Not only
in the daily practice, but also in publications. On my travellings
to many countries, visiting wholesalers and florists, I see
too many bad situations. Flowers sometimes are in the prestentation
wilting, old or damaged, no sign of quality control! Some
mistakes I see are:
Flowers in (old) metal buckets or vases!
Flowers in boiling water!
Flowers in dirty buckets and dirty water!
Flowers to long and too cold in the cooler!
Flowers too deep in the water or not deep enouqh!
Too many flowers in a bucket!
Old and fresch flowers together!
No preservative in the water!
Often just some chloride in the water!
Cutting of stems with tools not sharp!
Scratching stems and even hammer them!
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Flowers only 2 cm in the floral foam!
Foam soaped in the wrong way!
Bad presentation!
Bad quality flower arrangements!
I also have seen employees in the wholesale or shop, in several
countries, who took bunches of sensitive flowers just by the
head. Often just put on a trolly in different positions. Sensitive
flowers often had many others on top pf them, not noticed
by the employees.
What is cousing this problem? Lack of knowledge?, bad education?
Not interested in the product? Is the management of some companies
not aware about this or do they just don't know how to arrange
it? Or maybe they do not like flowers at al?
There is still much to do and to improve in 2004. There is
so much knowledge available, use it! We must strive together
to better quality in the whole chain from Grower till Consumer.
This is not a noble thing only, but it is essential to have
a successfull company and a customer who is satisfied about
our product.
Flowers, plants and arrangements makes our daily life more
pleasant. Plants even improve the health of people. Also the
creative aspect is important for many people
Let us start 2004 to have a good interpretation of the word
'quality'. A big challenge, but with all the knowledge available,
not really difficult!
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