Quality BY CHRIS DRUMMOND, AAF, PFCI CHILLING FOR SUCCESS


> In the floral business, where freshness, longevity, and efficiency directly impact profitability, proper refrigeration isn’t just a best practice — it’s a critical factor for success. Thanks to cooler sensors I can


monitor on my phone or desktop using an app, I’ve mastered the art of getting our cooler temperatures as close to 32°F as possible without freezing the flowers. This has dramatically extended vase life, reduced shrinkage, and helped us better manage labor and inventory — especially during peak-demand floral holidays like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.


The Science Behind 33°F Storage Cut flowers are living tissues that continue to respire and degrade post-harvest. Cooler temperatures slow down metabolic processes and the growth of harmful microorganisms, effectively placing the flowers in a state of suspended animation. Studies have shown that most cut flowers and greens maintain optimal freshness when stored just above freezing — ideally between 33°F to 35°F. Because the margin between perfect preservation and freeze damage is razor thin, precise tempera- ture control is vital.


Real-Time Monitoring To keep temperatures consistently close to freezing without risking dam- age, some florists and wholesalers are turning to monitoring tools (my busi- ness uses the AcuRite Multi-Sensor Thermometer). This system uses multiple wireless sensors to track tem- peratures across different zones within


a cooler, offering real-time monitor- ing and historical charting accessible on my phone or laptop. These data loggers do more than just


report current conditions — they log data over time, producing detailed tempera- ture charts that managers can review to identify patterns, fluctuations, and trouble spots. With that data, florists can fine-tune adjustments to thermo- stats, cooling cycles, and defrost timers to maintain consistent, near-freezing temperatures with minimal temperature spikes that could shorten flower life.


Operational Advantages For floral professionals, the advantages of tight refrigeration control extend beyond just product quality. When flowers can be stored safely at optimal conditions for longer periods — up to 15 days in many cases — it becomes possible to spread out production in the lead-up to major holidays. When proper cold storage is combined with proper care and handling techniques — such as disinfecting tools and buckets, sharpen- ing cutters and dosing proper hydration formulas — florists can begin producing holiday floral designs 15 days before the holiday. We have done this for years, and customers repeatedly tell us that they buy again because our flowers last 8 to 14 days in their home. Consider the typical Valentine’s


Day rush. Instead of compressing all processing and design work into a few exhausting days, florists who store flowers at 33°F to 35°F can begin staging designs on January 31. This enables: ■


Reduced overtime and labor stress


FLOWER SAVER Sensors like this one, placed inside flower coolers, help shops maintain near- freezing temperatures — maximizing freshness without risking flower damage.


■ Higher output with the same staff ■


Improved quality control through gradual, methodical production


■ ■


Lower spoilage and waste due to extended shelf life


Increased profitability from better workflow and labor efficiency


Investing Pays Off We’ve been very pleased with our tem- perature monitoring system. However, there are many other data loggers floral businesses can use. One important fea- ture I recommend looking for in a system is the ability to set low- and high-tem- perature alerts for each sensor so you can maintain precise temperatures with confidence. As we all face increasing pressure


from challenges like late customer purchases, increased labor costs and increased costs of goods, smart refriger- ation practices and temperature tracking will become indispensable tools in the quest for quality, efficiency, and profit- ability.


DATA DASHBOARD The cooler’s sensor transmits data wirelessly to desktops and smartphones, allowing shop employees to quickly spot any significant temperature changes.


48 FLORAL MANAGEMENT | July/Aug 2025 | WWW.SAFNOW.ORG


Chris Drummond, AAF, PFCI, is the owner of Penny’s by Plaza Flowers in Philadelphia and a past president of the Society of American Florists.


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