Proper Flower Care and Preparation Guide of Bulk flowers by Scent & Violet

It is crucial to follow our Care and Preparation guide to ensure the best look of flowers for your special event or fundraiser.

Bulk Flower Care & Preparation Guide

How to get your flowers picture-perfect for your event or fundraiser

Receiving bulk flowers is very different from picking up a ready-made bouquet at your local florist. Bulk flowers are shipped with travel in mind—packed tightly, dehydrated, and often looking a little worse for wear. Think of it this way: you’ve just taken a long, uncomfortable flight. You haven’t eaten, showered, or rested—and you’re stuck in the middle seat. You wouldn’t look your best either, right? Flowers need the same consideration and recovery time.

With proper care and preparation, your flowers will transform beautifully. Here’s how to get started:

Upon Receiving Your Flowers

Open your box(es) and inspect the flowers right away.
Cut any plastic straps securing the bunches to the box.
Expect flowers to appear tired, droopy, or wilted. This is normal.

General Flower Care Instructions

Prepare Clean Buckets

Fill clean buckets or containers with at least 10 inches of cold tap water. Add flower food according to the packet instructions and stir well to dissolve.

Wear Gloves

Use gardening gloves (preferred over rubber gloves) to protect your hands from thorns and sap.

Remove Excess Foliage

Strip any leaves that fall below the waterline. This prevents bacterial growth and helps extend the life of your flowers. You can use clean scissors to remove leaves, and trim thorns.

Trim the Stems

Using garden shears or sharp scissors, cut at least 1 inch off the bottom of each stem at an slight angle. There is no need to cut underwater.

Hydrate Immediately

Place trimmed stems into the prepared buckets right away.

Storage

Keep flowers in a cool, dark place—away from direct sunlight, drafts, heating/cooling vents, and extreme temperatures.

Hydration Time

Allow at least 8–12 hours for flowers to hydrate before arranging.

Ongoing Bulk Flower Care

Re-cut stems every 24 hours.
Change water every 48 hours.
Replenish water as needed—flowers will drink a lot during hydration.

Avoid Ethylene Gas

Do not store flowers near fruit. Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which causes flowers to age more quickly.

Do Not Use a Regular Fridge

Unless you have a proper floral cooler, avoid placing flowers in standard refrigerators. It is much better to hold flowers in an air-conditioned room.

Flower Type Specific Instructions

Alstroemeria

Follow general flower care instructions.

Carnations

Follow general care.
Note: Handle carefully—carnation stems are delicate and break easily.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas require special care:

Fill a tub or plastic container with cold water.
Gently remove the plastic cover from the flower heads.
Submerge the heads upside down for 15–20 minutes. (Do not exceed 20 minutes; this can cause browning.)
Gently shake off excess water.
Fill a clean bucket with at least 12 inches of cold water and flower food.
Trim 1.5–2 inches off the bottom of the stems with sharp shears.
Place stems into water and hydrate for at least 8 hours. Ensure that stems are in the water.
If flower heads appear wilted after hydration, repeat steps 3,4,6 and 7

Calla Lilies

Calla lilies require special care:

Fill a narrow container (e.g., tall cylinder vase) with 3 inches of cold water.
Do not add flower food.
Do not remove the plastic sleeve.
Trim 0.5-1 inch off the stem.
Place upright in the container—calla lilies tend to bend if unsupported.
Hydrate for 4–8 hours.
Important Notes: Calla Lily sap can stain fabric. If using in bouquets, you can seal stem ends with clear nail polish.
Re-cut stems if they begin to curl or split at the bottom

Sunflowers

Follow general care instructions.
Allow 12 to 24 hours for full hydration and opening.
Slight bending is natural—sunflowers follow the sun and rarely have perfectly straight stems.

Baby’s Breath

Follow general care instructions.

Roses

Roses are packed in bunches of 25

Always wear protective gloves—roses have thorns.
Fill clean buckets with at least 10 inches of cold water and flower food.
Remove: Outer plastic sleeve and Rubber band
Leave cardboard wrap on during hydration.
Remove any leaves that fall below the waterline.
Cut 1 inch off stems and place in water immediately.
After 4 hours of hydration, you can remove the cardboard wrap.
Allow 8–12 hours for full hydration (2–3 days for roses to open completely).
Remove guard petals before using roses — Guard petals are outer petals that protected the rose in transit. These may be discolored or papery. Remove 3–6 per stem. (Tip: Save guard petals for decoration.)

Delphinium & Larkspur

Minor shedding is normal.
Follow general care steps.
Hydrate fully before arranging.

Still Have Questions?

We’re here to help. Call us at 281-761-6300 or Email us at: hello (at) scentandviolet.com

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