Cheap Flowers – Does This Mean Flowers by Post?

Flowers by post have a certain image, they tend to come from Guernsey or Jersey in the Channel Islands and have been around for over 25 years but what do you see in your mind’s eye when you think of them?

Most people would say carnations in a box – full stop.

Well yes indeed, this used to be true but the modern world has caught up and things have changed in the world of flowers by post. First of all the range has exploded, there are so many different kinds of flowers sent by post and there are far fewer companies over there who are doing this now, the ones that didn’t do the very best job have gone by the board and closed. This leaves just the better ones, the ones who take trouble with their flower gifts and who realise that the moment of opening the box, is an important one. If the recipient is displeased at this point, nothing will save the impact of the gift later on, first impressions count.

You may wonder why the flowers don’t die in the post, several reasons, mainly that the flowers are fresh picked especially when the company is a small husband and wife team with a greenhouse or two. This is the cheapest way to supply flowers, go and pick ones that you have grown yourself but it is also the best way to get fresh ones.

Then comes conditioning, from the very first moment of picking the flowers need to go into clean deep water, so far so good but the water absolutely should contain professional food additives to prolong vase life. This is in addition to the flower food that is normally supplied to the end user.

Next is how the flowers are treated on the bench, bunching should be quick and small quantities of flowers taken out of water at a time, then straight back in when they are bunched. Wadding is put on the stem bottoms to keep them moist in transit.

Packing is another skill, the flowers need to look good in the box but also be safe and not move. I have seen testing going on with a new bouquet when the packed box is thrown around, if all is still ok, then that particular arrangement is passed as good.

Presentation counts for a lot, just the addition of some colourful ribbons can make a world of difference to the first impression, it takes extra time and cost but is so worth it.

The personal message too is part of the gift and should be hand written, carefully and with a good hand, not printed on a piece of labelling and stuck on somewhere. Everything in that gift box reflects the florist certainly but it also will reflect on you when your recipient opens their gift.

Flowers by post are indeed usually the cheapest way to send flowers and if you choose the company carefully, you will be well represented and can be sure of a good service. I suggest that when you find such a company you stick with them, saves a lot of heartache. Naturally I know of a couple….