The Power of Flowers

When we receive flowers, we are instantly happy, smiling, and depending on the occasion filled with any number of emotions. We include flowers in almost every celebration throughout our lives. Flowers are one of the few gifts that evoke a powerful and immediate response. Flowers make us feel amazing, but why? Read our latest article for Floriology Institute to find out.

Thanks to Rutgers University we now know that our reaction to flowers isn’t just because we think they’re pretty. It’s a scientific fact that flowers in our environment have a positive and powerful impact on our overall health, well-being, and happiness. The study found an almost universal response to the gift of flowers. Some highlights of the study include:

1. Flowers touch our emotions in a very direct way. Across all groups of participants in the study, receiving flowers incited a genuine smile and immediate responses of happiness, excitement, delight, and gratitude.
2. Flowers continue to have a positive impact long after they are given. Study participants continued to reap the benefits of their gift of flowers reporting that they were less depressed, anxious and agitated. Not just an initial reaction, flowers made people feel a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction for days after receiving them. Flowers are the gift that keeps on giving!
3. Flowers create intimacy. Flowers give happiness not only to the lucky recipient but to the giver as well, making a connection between people as few other gifts can. The Rutgers study found that flowers were by far the gift people appreciated the most. No other common gift included in the study such as a candle or fruit compared with the level of joy of the initial response or the lasting impression left on the receiver. People who give flowers are considered to be thoughtful, caring, and sentimental.

Scientifically proven, flowers promote happiness and health. Flowers bring a calming effect to your environment and can improve your overall mood. Surrounding yourself with flowers will have a profound effect on your state of mind, make them last!

For best results we recommend these care and handling best practices:

1. Start with a clean bucket, sanitized with a floral cleaner such as FloraLife® D.C.D.® Cleaner.
2. Fill buckets with cool water mixed with flower food according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Do not put flowers directly into metal/galvanized buckets. Use clean, good quality water and do not use water that has been treated with a water softener as the salt levels can be damaging to flowers. Use a dosing unit that is properly calibrated, or hand mix the solution according to label instructions.
3. Remove any foliage that would fall below the solution level.
4. If received dry-packed, conditioning of stem ends is recommended to prevent blockage and promote uptake. Cut approximately 1” or more off stems. Use clean, sanitized clippers or knife, and treat with FloraLife® Quick Dip.
5. If step 4 was done, no need to re-cut stems again. If not, then re-cut stems approximately 1” using clean and sanitized clippers or knife. No cut necessary if you use FloraLife® Express Flower Food.
6. Place flowers in a previously prepared container.
7. Allow a minimum of 2 hours to hydrate placing buckets in an area with good airflow.
8. Store in a cooler at 34 – 38° F with a relative humidity of 75-85%
9. Avoid getting water on blooms.
10. Check water levels daily, add flower food solution as needed.
11. Avoid displaying nearing extreme heat, cold, draft, or ripening fruit or vegetables.
12. Always remember FIFO (first in first out) when rotating flowers.

Read the article on Floriology Institute: https://floriologyinstitute.com/the-power-of-flowers

To learn more about best practices from the experts in flower care, visit www.floralife.com