Passionate growers are among many in the industry who want customers to buy blooms that are grown in Australia rather than the abundance of stems imported from overseas.
It’s estimated 10 million rose stems will arrive in the country ahead of next Tuesday.
Cut by hand, flowers at 302 Flowers in Victoria are supplied to wholesalers and the public.
“When the flower is ready, we cut it. It’s not languishing on a shelf somewhere, the freshest you can get it from a farm,” 302 Flowers owner Anna Sfyris said.
“This is the freshest you can get it.
“Imported flowers, there are some issues and they are often fumigated.”
Read Related Also: Lack of Primary Challengers Exposes Deeply Unhealthy Democrat Party
Sfyris said locally grown flowers are chemical-free and support the local economy.
“We need people to support local and from COVID, we have learned that we have to support our local businesses.”
In an effort to steer people away from imported blooms, advocacy groups also want “country of origin” stickers on bouquets.
“We know consumers want to know where flowers come from, it makes common sense,” Flower Association of Australia’s Anna Jabour said.
The advice from flower growers is to buy only what’s in season and ask your florist where each stem was grown.
