Storage and transport

• Transport in sleeves and boxes provides the best protection against damage and dehydration.
• Delivery upright in water in a 577 or 997 container is also OK.
• Avoid sources of ethylene gas, such as ripening fruit and exhaust fumes.
• From November to mid March opt for lilies grown with assimilation lighting. As there are so few sunlight hours in the Netherlands during the winter months, lilies grown without this can be of inferior quality.
• Lilies grown without assimilation lighting are more likely to suffer from premature bud loss. Consequently the lilies are often cut too soon, which causes the buds to dry out and leaves much to be desired when it comes to the other blooms opening.

In the shop

• Store lilies without water at a temperature between 2 and 5º C. Their development is halted at these temperatures. But the longer the flowers are stored, the less chance there is that they will open. Orientals in particular should not be stored for longer than is essential.
• Slant cut the stems and stand the flowers in clean buckets of fresh water.
• Leave the transport sleeves in place for a few hours after arrival until the stems look fresh and sturdy again. Remove the lower leaves so that the water in the vase is not contaminated.
• The flower buds will open slightly at a temperature of 15º and the flowers can then be sold immediately.
• Transport in sleeves and boxes provides the best protection against damage and dehydration.

Tips for your customers

• A well-lit spot is not essential but draughts and bright sunlight should be avoided.
• Cut flower food inhibits the growth of bacteria in the water, promotes improved opening and helps prevent premature yellowing of the leaves.
• Lilies are sensitive to excessive concentrations of cut flower food. The concentration shown on the packaging should never be exceeded.
• Lilies are very sensitive to ethylene, so keep the vase well away from a fruit bowl.
• Any pollen stains can be removed with sellotape or a dry brush. A damp cloth will only make the stain worse. Another option is to hang the stained item out in the sun and wind for a few hours.
• If you prefer to remove the pollen from the flowers, leave the filaments and pistil on the flower as this will make it look less damaged.
• The fragrance is also lessened by the removal of the pistil.