It’s true… I was a florist for over twenty years in the Boston Wholesale Floral Industry- a job the where the word “difficult” might be an understatement for adequately describing the profession.  Rain or shine, sleet or snow, the crew gathered together in the middle of the night to unload tractor trailer trucks packed with thirty to forty pound boxes which we would have to haul off, open and distribute before the sun actually had risen.  It was grueling exercise, the kind of workout that would leave you aching for days in your back, legs and arms with little to no rest that would allow healing.  Nevertheless, there was something inside of me driving the covers off when the 3:30 am alarm clock rang, the sound of a relentless drill sergeant commanding the start of a new day in the Boston Flower Exchange.  Looking back, I could have left and got a job in an office like most twenty something’s do but instead I made the choice to stay.  Regardless of the empty threats to leave the business in search of “easier” means of work, I continued to show up exactly on the hour required by employees (well, most of the time anyways…) and do my share of lugging, carrying and schlepping while being left with a strange sense of fulfillment at the end of the day.  There could only be one explanation for this feeling that also came along with pain, exhaustion and bruises… I really loved being a florist.

Unbeknown too many people out there, being a floristis actually one of the hardest professions to survive within, and that includes both in terms of physical and financial wellness.  There are long, grueling hours, limited opportunities for pay increases and the toll of heavy weight lifting on the body after years and years of exposure.  Truly, you have to be one tough cookie to make it in the flower biz and as you can imagine- it’s not for everyone.  

You might be wondering, “If it’s so bad, why do it then?”  It’s an honest question with an honest answer-you’re a florist because you were born to become one.  Seriously, it’s the truth.  There are several personality traits that can lead a person into this profession which will determine if it’s the right fit for you.  If you’ve always had an interest in this field, you might want to go over the top 13 traits of a true florist.  Your destiny may be calling you…

The Top 13 Traits of a True Florist

1. You’re Hardworking No Matter What
2. You LOVE Anything That Grows
3. Not Having A Garden Is Sacrilegious
4. Working Saturdays Is No Big Deal
5. You’re Inherently Creative
6. You Like To Gamble
7. Weather Conditions Don’t Affect You
8. You See Yourself As An Artist
9. Your Work Means More To You Than A Paycheck
10. You Continue to Enjoy Learning Long After You’ve Finished School
11. You Like People But You Like Time Alone, Too
12. You Prefer To Move Than To Be Sitting Down All Day
13. You Use Your Hands More Than Any Other Part Of Your Body

Bringing Flowers Home to Boston

I’ve bet you’ve visited flower shops a million times before, carrying beautiful blossoms that strike you as soon as you walk through the front door.  Buckets of sunflowers, roses and hydrangeas are the most common varieties that are being carryied this month but did you ever wonder how they got there?  Often, we don’t take into account the logistics involved with flower transportation and don’t realize how this factor alters conditions including availability, longevity and even price influxes or reductions.  The process is quite fascinating when you really get down to it.  Understanding how it all works will not only help you to become a savvier shopper but it will also give you a greater appreciation for the stunning stems you bring home weekly to put on your tables.  So here’s how it works…

There are a few different approaches that florists use to select their flowers.  They can be local, meaning that they are grown in greenhouses and farms that are close in proximity to your area or they can be imported from far away, even from another country.  Let’s start with the “greener” method and begin in our own backyard…

Locally Grown

There are many reasons why you should consider buying flowers that have been raised to supply your floral specialty shops.  For one thing, their travel time from being cut, boxed and shipped is going to be considerably shorter than imports sent from far off places like Japan, France or Canada (although wait-there’s bonuses to that too).  This can positively affect the flower’s lifespan to be longer and lower costs due to a decreased need of fuel for gas or air flight. It also allows you to know more about the product and be able to find out how the crop was harvested and what by what means with regards to chemical vs. organic support materials.  Buy shopping locally, you can also help sustain these growers within your community thus supporting a higher production of fresh flowers for your neighborhood.  

Imports

Imported flowers are generally purchased from an auction or a large wholesaler that buys what the florists wants and then reships it to them after they have bought from a far away grower.  The first issue that needs considering is that they have a long way to go before they get here.  Airplanes are usually the first choice for shipping because they arrive relatively quickly and have a large storage area for cargo.  Problems associated with imported flowers usually pertain to delayed flights where the flowers are kept too long in heated facilities without water or my favorite-trouble with US customs when they arrive to the gates.  Any unordinary fibers or bugs will win that shipment a one-way ticket to the incinerator meaning they’ll never make it to the florist at their cost making things pricey.  Another problem is that buyers cannot see first hand what they are paying for since the order has to first survive its transportation route.  A spectacular sample of a dahlia looks great online but if it’s had a bumpy ride over, it can be quite disappointing to the end user.  So why do you ask, import flowers in the first place?  Countries such as Holland provide the world with an auction that showcases rare and unique product from around the world.  Things can get pretty dull when you’re using the same varieties of plants and flowers so including a broad range of choice helps designers create fresh and fun looks that keep their customers satisfied.  Being able to access a broader spectrum of color and texture is what keeps the industry learning constantly and adapting to contemporary themes and styles.  The third important reason for importing is that although New England grow beautiful product of our own, there are some things that we simply don’t have the conditions for.   This is when a secondary source becomes extremely useful particularly within wedding events.  Connecting with a large variety of suppliers both educates and influences Boston florists to provide the best arrangements for their customers so a healthy combination of the two is a Boston florist’s best bet!