Buying Tips: Sunflowers should be open upon purchase (pollen should be visible). Avoid flowers with yellow or dried leaves.

Processing: Unpack immediately. Remove foliage below the solution level. Recut stems.

Pretreatment: If sunflowers have not been treated with an ethylene-action inhibitor such as EthylBloc^™ Technology, treat them as soon as possible. Use one of Floralife’s Flower Foods (see Holding Solution) to promote water uptake and hydration. This treatment will help increase bud opening, decrease flower wilting and fresh flower food keeps flower stems free flowing. Flowers should then be placed into a holding solution of a Floralife^® flower food.

Holding Solution: Use fresh flower food at the recommended rate: Use Flower Food 300, 200, Clear 200, or Clear ULTRA 200 storage and transport treatments, or depending on water test results, Special Blend 300 for Hard Water or for Pure Water.
Hold flowers at room temperature for 1 - 2 hours prior to storage in cooler or designing. As a finishing touch to any floral design, spray Floralife^® Finishing Touch hydration and protection spray over entire project.

Ethylene Sensitivity: Varies depending on the cultivar. Some cultivars are ethylene sensitive.

Vase Life: 5 to 14 days depending on the cultivar and postharvest care.

Storage Temperature: 34 - 36˚ F cooler / 75 - 85% humidity.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Leaf Yellowing

Can be due to age of flower or improper storage and handling. Flower will last longer than the foliage: as foliage dies remove the leaves.

Bent Neck

Could be due to improper stage of harvest, or flower may be dehydrated. Recut the stem under water and hydrate the flower (see section on “Hydration”), then place in Floralife^® flower food.