What process must growers, wholesalers, and retail florists engage in for maintaining flower quality?

The process that growers, wholesalers, and retail florists must engage in for maintaining flower quality is processing flowers. This involves several key steps that directly impact the longevity and appearance of flowers. Processing includes cutting stems at an angle to enhance water uptake, removing any foliage that would be submerged in water to prevent bacterial growth, and providing proper hydration methods, such as using preservative solutions.

This method ensures that the flowers remain fresh and vibrant for the consumer, maximizing their shelf life. Proper processing is essential in maintaining the quality of flowers, allowing them to be displayed at their best and reducing waste due to premature wilting or decay.

While storing, retailing, and transplanting flowers are all important aspects of the floral business, they don't specifically address the immediate actions taken to maintain the freshness and quality of flowers after they are harvested which makes processing the correct focus for this question.