3 tips for picking the right flowers at the market australia

Native to Mexico and Central America, dahlias are a type of flowering plant within the Asteraceae family (think daisies, chrysanthemums and zinnias). They’ve become increasingly popular in the floristry industry in recent years due to their stunning, showy flowers and long blooming period. Whether you are planning a wedding, a special event, or just looking to add some colour and charm to your home, dahlias are the perfect choice for you. In this blog, we will explore the reasons why dahlias are such a popular choice in the floristry industry and why you should consider them for your next floral arrangement.

Wide range of colours

Dahlias come in many colours, including red, orange, yellow, pink (so many pinks!) purple, and white. This range of colours makes them a versatile choice for any occasion or event, as they can easily complement any colour palette or theme. Additionally, the blooms can range in size from 3cm to over 25cm in diameter, depending on the variety, which allows you to choose the perfect size for your needs.

Long blooming period

Dahlias are known for their long blooming period, which typically lasts from summer to autumn. This means they can bring a pop of colour to your garden or home for several months, making them a great investment for anyone looking to add beauty and charm to their space.

Easy to grow

Dahlias are quite easy to grow, provided you have well-drained soil and full sun. They require regular watering and can be dug up and stored over the winter in cooler climates. With proper care, dahlias will thrive and bring you joy for years to come. A good tip is to stay in touch with your local dahlia grower and ask them when they will commence planting.

Perfect for Cut Flowers

Dahlias make beautiful cut flowers and have become a popular choice for weddings and other special events. Their large, showy blooms add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any floral arrangement, making them the perfect choice for adding some charm and beauty to your big day.

All in all, dahlias are an incredibly versatile, beautiful, and fun choice for anyone looking to add a pop of colour to their home or special event. So why not choose dahlias for your next floral arrangement and experience their stunning beauty for yourself? There are plenty of local growers here in Victoria that do the most incredible dahlias, including 302 Flowers and The Rook Blooms!

It’s always fun walking through the flower market and picking a few handfuls of blooms for my weekend vase arrangements, but it’s important to know what to look for. After all, you don’t want to end up with a beautiful bouquet that only lasts a few days!

All flowers have different characteristics that will tell you how fresh they are, and your arrangements and cut flowers will last much longer if you use the freshest flowers and plant materials available to you.

When selecting flowers and foliage for maximum vase life, check the following.

Stems

You’ll want to select flowers with green stems and vivid foliage. Look out for any yellowing or slimy leaves––we definitely don’t want those! The stems should be stiff but supple, showing that the flowers are well hydrated.

Keep an eye out for damaged bunches or stems; holes or tears in leaves shorten their vase life as the damage can assist in attracting bacteria growth.

Buds

When flowers or buds are present, make sure the majority of the blooms are still closed. Buds that are open should be bright and fresh in appearance, so if they’re not, best to pass!

The buds should also not be transparent or have any protruding veins. If they do, it means that the flowers have been cold-stored for too long, which may result in the blooms failing to open at all. Transparent or veiny buds can also indicate that the flowers are dry.

Look for buds with a lot of colour present. Tight, colourless buds can often indicate that the blooms were cut prematurely––making them no good for your arrangement.

Petals

Look for flower petals with bright, vivid colours and make sure the veins in the petals and leaves are not visible (as previously mentioned) as this indicates they are drying out.

As flowers are natural materials, we need to be aware that not every flower we purchase will be without imperfections. However, knowing the signs of unhealthy flowers will help you a lot at the market to only pick flowers that will last.

If you’re a florist, you may sometimes receive stock from your wholesalers that needs to be returned. Don’t be afraid to do this––it’s your money and reputation at the end of the day! What can really help with minimising the likelihood of receiving poor-quality stock is building a solid relationship with your wholesalers and growers. This relationship will also make returning any sub-par flowers a lot easier.

For the budding florists among us, I talk a lot more about the signs of unhealthy flowers and how to deal with wholesalers in my Career Change Course. Enrol now and get your brand-new career underway!

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4 Reasons Florists Love Dahlias