(In response to the BBC article: How flowers are ‘put to sleep’ for long sea voyages)
The BBC’s article on how flowers are ‘put to sleep’ for long sea voyages offers a fascinating peek into the science behind global floristry. With cold-chain logistics and CO₂-rich environments, blooms are essentially placed in suspended animation — a modern kind of magic to keep them fresh across oceans.
I’m always fascinated by the behind-the-scenes of how it all works; and I love seeing my industry get some of that spot light. As a florist here in Montreal, I love sharing these lesser-known, interesting insights with the community.
Shipment, however, is only half the story. Once they arrive, a whole process awaits them. Just like Sleeping Beauty, these blooms need to be properly awakened — rehydrated, trimmed, and handled with care. Without that, their journey ends on a grocery store shelf, where they fade rather quickly.
That’s where florists step in — part caretaker, part designer, part prince. We don’t just sell flowers; we revive them, honor them, and turn them into meaningful gestures. After traveling so far, don’t they deserve better than a bucket by the checkout?
If you’re in Montreal and want blooms that have been truly cared for, that’s what we do at Fleuriste Atropa Belladonna. And trust us — your flowers will live happily ever after. Check out our step by step process
Process:
- Snip ends and put into lukewarm water
- Pick out proper sized containers, ensuring their clean
- Fill the bucket with water, at the temperature and level ideal for the flowers it will display
- Condition the water with flower food
- Clean up stem foliage, and give a fresh cut before treating with hydration solution
- Let the flowers hydrate at room temperature (or as needed for particular blooms) for about 4 hours
- Store in a cooler at the appropriate temperature
Depending on the flowers, there may even be additional steps for proper hydration. For example, roses hydrated in their package for 4-5 hours, before opening and cleaning up the stems; other flowers may require soaking, etc.
