Which Vase? Valentine's Day Roses...

[NavyBrat]

Which vase do you use for a dozen roses for Valentine's Day and why? What influences your decision for the vase you use? Price, Style, Color? We used to use the least expensive clear glass utility vase, but we have switched to the Octavia vase...costs a little more, but I find we use less greenery and the vase is better quality and attractive.

Do you use the premade foliage bouquets for vased roses? We started using them 2 years ago at Valentine's Day. The bouquet we use is from ASK, but my local supplier (Delaware Valley Wholesale Florist) supplies them for me. The bouquets are beautiful...cost $4.00 each. Sounds expensive, right? I changed to the bouquets because they include a beautiful selection of greenery including some red red tree fern. Other reasons I switched to the premade bouquets are:
(1) They are shipped in flat boxes-easy to store in your cooler and take up so much less space than box after box of assorted greens.
(2) Your designers don't have to fumble through boxes for greenery which saves time and cuts down on wastage.
(3) I find we use less filler flower because the greens are so beautiful.
(4) Plop & drop-takes seconds to fill vases with greens...just add roses!


Pics attached of the vase and "Passion" premade green bouquet.

 

[Sher]

Been using the premade greens for a few years also..they Rock..cuts down so much on labor. Jenna has beautiful ones and so does our local green guy..less labor, less greens used. As to vases...I watch very closely what the grocery stores are using..so we look different .We use a lot of glass ware stuff that is not syndicate...comes thru our past INdiana sales person...but we are big on glass squares even the taller ones...lots of cylinders up to 26 inch tall...hate the everyday rose vase...cant make myself use them even on wire ins...ugly
I have some frosted pinks this year, some purples, lots of reds...love the roman vase for the two and three doz roses orders...we have several 4 foot vases...we are hoping to fill them with six doz roses...lol...with this economy it may just be a pipe dream...
Sher

 

[CHR]

We love the tall flaired vases but they are really a challenge for customers to take home. Usually entails walking customers to their cars and helping them strap the designs in with a combo of a short box and strategically placed seat belts.

Why can't florist supply companies make an attractive & sturdy delivery box for tall vases?

 

[cherrie]

I like the used to be Brody, now Syndicate C4.
It's sizey and makes the roses look fab. It's also under $3.00.
I've used it for years. I think that for $75, my roses should look large and full. The C4 accomplishes this.
I use leather, buplurem, monte and gyb. Sometimes Misty.
Pretty traditional, but my clients are always happy.

 

[Patty]

We also use the Octavia vase for our standard dozens; C905 11" Spring Garden for the upgrades.

I like the C9 Cherrie--haven't used it before but may try it.

I really like the idea of using greenery pre-mades! I need to ask our wholesalers about getting some.

 

[roysecityfloristand gifts]

Valentines Day, we like the Motif Vase, embossed 4 different designs (one with fleur de lei,very elegant.
It's 10 1/2" tall perfect for the 27" tall dozen roses.
I get from local basket supplier. under 3.00.

Also love my gathering vases for any kind of arrangement.

 

[marigold]

I use a rectangle black matte for tall and a matching black matte cube
for low.
Lost my supplier for these, so I may have to change.
I prefer roses to be viewed all the way around.

 

[cherrie]

I always do about everything, except sympathy containers all around. Move flowers to the front for pics. Have to, I think.

 

[Joe Mioux]

When selecting a vase, just make sure you factor that additional cost when making the purchase.

I think many shops will pick a price point for their roses, such as $75, and ignore the ancillary input costs. Those ancillary costs are greens, filler AND vases.

If a florist spends an additional $4 in cost on the vase compared to a different vase, that shop better make sure they understand how an additional $4 cost affects net profit.

For example, say a shop sells 50 dozen roses, that added $4 will lower their net profit by $200. In order to recoup that money and say they are operating a 5 pct profit margin, that shop is going to have sell and additional $4000 in sales just to catch up.

Plug in your own profit pcts and costs and see where it takes you.

Joe

 

[Erlene]

We use the C5 from Brody. Shape/style and height are the primary reasons.