Interviewing Florists around Norwich

For my reportage, I wanted to look at how flowers are sold and distributed around Norwich so I decided to call some of the more popular florists to see where they source their flowers are what they do with them after they have received their flowers.

Where are the flowers from?

1

Flowers from this Particular shop are from Holland

2

Flowers from this Particular shop are from Holland

3

Holland to wholesaler in Norwich, then they order from the wholesaler in Norwich

What time are they delivered?

1

Flowers are grown all over the world, they then have to go to the Dustch market to get graded into grades A, B and C and priced accordingly, They then get redistributed back to their original locations

This shop then orders them from Holland the night before, and the flowers arrive the morning after

2

first thing in the morning , around 6am

3

wholesaler

What preparations are needed to be made before selling the flowers ?

1

The Stems of the Flowers need to be conditioned before selling

2

conditioned

strip leaves

pop them in water

3

cut at angle and condition

recut and change to fresh water every couple of days

bleach buckets

Are they any specific preparations that are needed to be done in prior to Valentine’s day ?

1

None

More red roses will be ordered in the night before Valentines Day and on the Day itself

2

order more roses , red

get balloons ,wooden hearts chocolate and champagne ( not from them, but they can provide depending on customer )

arrange delivery from wholesale

more bouquets sold generally

very varied , bouquets done to florists’ taste

but can cater to more specific requests

3

same procedure

lilies quite popular apart from roses

1. ELIZABETHS THE FLORISTS

2. Libby Ferris Flowers

3. Oops A Daisy

All in all, all flowers appear to come from Holland and some florists either order them directly, are through a flower wholesaler in Norwich. Flowers are delivered first thing in the morning to ensure freshness at around 6, then the florists can then begin to condition the flowers before selling. Florists condition the flowers by cutting the stem at a 45 degree angle , then the florists will fill a bleached bucket with warm water and flower food and then add the flowers. The flowers will have to be cut and have the water changed every couple of days.

In preparation to Valentine's Day, apart from the usual routine of conditioning flowers, some florists will buy in balloons, wooden hearts and teddy bears to decorate and sell alongside their flowers and can provide chocolate and champagne upon request. All florists will order in more red roses the night prior and on the day itself to ensure that there is enough red roses available. Apart from roses, lilies are also popular on Valentine's Day therefore lilies are also ordered in, but not to the extent of roses.