Floral Cooler Temperature for Tropical Flowers

Proper Temperatures

• When receiving and storing tropical cut flowers, do not expose them to temperature lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Packaged flowers wrapped in plastic, buffered with shredded newspaper and encased in cardboard boxes are often well-protected from exposure to cold during brief legs of their shipping journey from tropical cut flower growers around the world. Once you open the boxes, place the stems in room temperature water and store in a cooler that is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Alternatives

• If your floral cooler is broken, or permanently set at temperatures around 40 degrees for temperate flowers such as roses and carnations, do not consider placing the tropical flowers in the same area. The tropical flower tissues will fare considerably better if exposed to room temperature. Keep the flowers out of direct sunlight and hot or cold air drafts indoors. A slightly cooler area of the room, perhaps near a window, likely provides air temperatures around 60 to 65 degrees, rather than the usual 70 degrees.

Effects of Cold

• Tropical cut flowers inevitable sustain some damage or degradation during transport from the growers. Bent stems or bracts and dry stem bases are the most common dilemmas. Exposure to cold soon manifests as brown to black bruiselike spots or streaks, especially on flower parts that have been crushed or snapped. Freezing or chilly temperatures rupture the water in flowers and cause rapid collapse, softening or blackening of tissues.

Increasing Longevity

• Besides storing tropical cut flowers in an appropriately cool room, other tricks can prolong their longevity. After receiving the cut flowers, soak them in a large shallow tub of room temperature water for five to 10 minutes. Cut 1/2 to 1 inch off the bottom of each flower's stem before placing them upright in a vase of fresh water. Replace the vase water daily to prevent bacterial growth or smelly water. Cut an additional 1/2 to 1 inch of the stem bottom every one to three days to ensure no rotting tissues remain and block the uptake of water.