peony rot

[KABERS]

My wedding today had lots of peony. I received them Monday but just left them boxed in the cooler till tuesday. Properly processed them tuesday but put them back in the cooler because the bride liked the tight ball look. By the time I really started using them on friday many of the pink ones were rotting at the base. The white ones were perfect.
Was it my fault for having them in the cooler tight too long?

I love peony and rannuculas but man it's too much worry.

of course the bride wanted the pink for her bouquet.

 

[concord]

I doubt it was your fault as I'm sure you have done this many times in the past with no issues. Peony this year has been very unpredictable around here. Some have been really small and golf ball like and never opened at all, while others have blown opene even in the cooler. Maybe it's just a bad year for them. I hope you had enough for the wedding. It looks awesome. Nice work as always.

 

[Sprout]

I always mark peonies up more than my other flowers because of the difficulties and the waste. Sorry, I'm not eating it.

 

[anytimeflowers]

Jenifer, I don't think it was anything you did wrong. Peonies store for months in dry-pack, months. These probably had gotten wet with no air flow, rot I don't think could happen over night.

I do exactly what Sprout does. I tell people peonies are $15 stem, that's usually enough to convince them to choose something else. Of course, I don't do weddings either, so it's much easier to talk people into something else, it's not so personal.

 

[Tuberose]

Wish we could get ranuculus that pretty, ours are so puny they're not worth the effort unless we bring them in ourselves from California. Haven't seen hide nor hair of a peony yet around here.

 

[Snapdragon Studio]

I can't help with your problem... but wanted to say that those centerpieces are GORGEOUS!

 

[dlnfloral]

I agree with Jennifer going to steal your idea on the centerpieces with the moss on the vase. Thanks. I also agree that somewhere along the line the buds got wet or moisture on them.

 

[KABERS]

Thanks guys, just so you know - that moss is on the rolls with the plastic backing - wrapped around 6" cylinders. It was still very messy. The wedding was "coffee" themed, those are coffee beans on the table. I prayed they didn't stain the linen, but not my problem. They had an espresso bar instead of alcohol - I'll bet it didn't save them a penny.

Could the crowning glory cause the rot?

 

[dlnfloral]

No I don't think the Glory could cause the rot unless it was totally saturated and didn't dry and than wrapped or boxed right away

 

[BOSS]

Most likely the rot issue began at the farm level, and is neither your or your wholesalers fault. I have been seeing it on other items recently too...

Nice designs by the way....

 

[Nashvilleflower]

Jenifer...just had to jump in here...I just re-joined Flower Chat after some time off (not from flowers/weddings..just chat forums!). I don't think you did anything wrong either..I have been very disappointed in all of my peony orders this year..some never open..some are mushy..some blow wide within minutes,etc. Just don't think this is the best year for them. Now on the other hand...I have 22 peony bushes in my yard...my Sarah B and dark pinks were the best ever this year..but bloomed really early for this area...like about 3 weeks early. Love peonies..but dang they are hard to predict!
BTW...where do you purchase the moss on the plastic backing? much easier than spray glue and using regular moss I bet.

 

[KABERS]

Thank you, it's called Super moss Instant green. Its a reusable moss matt. 18" x 48" and runs around $17.00. Bill Doran and Roy Houff both had it so I would think most wholesalers would too.

 

[Flowerchatter03]

Regarding the peonies, I don't know where our local supplier gets them but my salesperson had some and they didn't last either!

Love the moss too!