Buying Tips: Avoid immature flowers (ones harvested too early) will generally not open properly. Purchase asters as you would purchase chrysanthemums, more open (at least three-quarters open) than in bud stage. Avoid stems with yellowing or black leaves as this is an indication of improper storage or growing conditions.

Processing: Unpack immediately. Remove foliage below solution level and recut stems. Use one of Floralife’s hydration products (Hydraflor^® 100 or Floralife^® Quick Dip) to promote solution uptake and hydration. This treatment will help increase bud opening, decrease flower wilting and bent neck and also helps keep flower stems free flowing. Leaves often will wilt or die before flowers, therefore, it is very important to keep hydration/ bucket/ vase solutions and stems clean. Using one of Floralife’s hydration pretreatments can help prevent dehydration of aster.

Storage: Place flower stems in a clean bucket of solution and keep them treated during transport or storage until it is time to prepare them for consumer sales. Add additional solution as needed. Change out bucket solution at least once per week and use clean buckets prior to filling with new solution. Keep in cooler at 34 - 38˚ F.

Vase Life: 5 to 10 days

Ethylene Sensitivity: Low ethylene sensitivity