The flower industry is not a new one, but what is new is some of the florist equipment that shops use to deliver the best quality of flowers at the cheapest prices. Floristry equipment is key to getting a business up and running and keeping it competitive for the long haul.

When individuals look to the web to help them out in the field of floral design and sales, they have a lot of options. Within this growing field, a better system of educational networking is providing help to those who want to get into the flower business. And with so many customers looking for well-kept fresh flowers, new managers of these businesses need the advice and help they can find online. Those looking for training solutions over the web for using floral equipment can choose from a variety of resources, like:

1. Links to training courses from schools or colleges for dealing with floral shop equipment.

2. Helpful online guides and info pages on flower shop equipment such as flower coolers, cutters, or trimmers.

3. Examples of the available equipment from florist wholesalers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find training on florists equipment from floral vocational schools

One way to get a comprehensive look at how florists equipment is used is to enroll in a formal class on floral design and management. Schools across the country offer these programs to individuals looking to set up independent shops or otherwise get involved in the business with a floral skill set.

I recommend: Find out how courses include the care of florist shop equipment like flower coolers and more at the Center for Floral Studies online catalog. Get more floral training programs from sites like Longwood Gardens.

Find online guides for learning more about florists equipment and the safe use of it.

Another way to find out about how florists equipment is used in the field is to take a look at info pages from sites that inform readers about the floral process, including tools and methods used for different kinds of flower sales.

I recommend: Learn about safety with the equipment in the florist shop from Toolboxtopics.com. Find out about holders and other gear as well as flower shop supplies at Gardening How To.

Locate more information on flowers equipment

Get more fresh ideas for stocking a florist shop and making it attractive to customers by searching wholesale florist supply sites.

I recommend: See baskets and different equipment used by the trade at florist shop equipment suppliers at FloralSupply.com. Check out Springhill Floral Supply for a myriad of equipment used in florist shops.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking for training solutions for staff or leaders, make sure the florist equipment education and training offered matches the scope of the business: ask reps of schools about how the gear you need to use will be covered in course work.

Whether you are planning to open your first flower shop, or you own a well-established floral store, supply needs are always changing. Find the latest wholesale florists supplies and flower shop equipments through many online resources.

Look for suppliers that offer multiple supplies and equipment. If you're in the market for a new fresh flower supplier, search for a supplier that you can also continually order packaging and delivery supplies from.

1. Make a list of the flower shop supplies you need.
2. Search for flower shop equipment from flower and plant suppliers first.
3. Look for specialty equipment from specialty suppliers after you have checked with inclusive suppliers.
4. Keep a well-managed record of each of your florist equipment suppliers.
5. Continue your search for the best floral shop equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a reliable florist equipment and supplies directory

The Society of American Florists offers a directory of hundreds of stores that offer flower shop supplies and equipment.

I recommend: Use the Ultimate Floral Industry Supply Guide to find fresh flower suppliers, wholesale florist supplies, floral shop equipment or any of your floral needs.

Look for walk-in and floral display refrigeration

The floral refrigerator is a staple of floristry equipment. If you own a flower shop, you need some type of refrigeration to preserve your flowers.

I recommend: Walk-in refrigeration units come in several sizes to fit your floral needs. Preserve your flowers while displaying them for customers in a floral display refrigeration unit.

Get flower shop supplies for designing, packing and delivering

Keep your floral shop stocked with the latest style vases, baskets, papers, cards and decorations.

I recommend: Florist Suppliers Ltd. has a large selection of flower shop equipment and supplies. From floral foam to wrapping paper, they offer all the latest styles and seasonal pieces.

Don't forget flower preservation and presentation

Florist equipment suppliers usually carry the materials to help you keep your fresh flowers and plants looking good.

I recommend: FloralSupply.com stocks all preservation and flower presentation supplies and equipment. For a colorful twist on your fresh flower food, try a tinted water accent that extends the life of your flowers while adding color to the water in the vase. Keep your living plants moist and looking good with Soil Moist Mats.

You'll need tools to use in the flower shop

Suppliers of florists' equipment sell tools to make preparing flower arrangements easier.

I recommend: Look for knives, clippers, glue guns, stemming machines, floral ties and much more at a flower shop equipment supplier. Get steel pick machines, shrink wrap tools, bow machines and ribbon racks at wholesale florist supply stores.

Find floral shop equipment, supplies and flowers

Get all your flower shop equipment and supplies from the same place you purchase your wholesale fresh and silk flowers.

I recommend: Berkley Florist Supply, Inc. offers fresh cut flowers, plants and all the supplies and equipment you need to start up a new floral shop or continue stocking your existing store. Afloral offers florists' equipment along with a huge selection of silk flowers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buy floristry equipment from suppliers that carry all the supplies and equipment you need. By keeping your supplier list to a minimum, you'll be able to keep a better inventory and accounting record.

When running a flower shop or florist-related business, you’ll need to understand key industry terms to communicate properly with vendors and ensure you get the supplies your shop needs. In addition to a host of flower variety and vegetation names, it’s also important to know terminology like “flower dye spray” or “underwater stem cutter” so you can successfully stock your inventory, create cutting-edge floral designs and display expertise for your clients to stay a step ahead of the competition.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Floral water tubes

Also called aquapics and aquatubes, floral water tubes can support, nourish and place individual blooms in a larger floral arrangement. Each tube contains a supply of water and can also elongate flowers with short stems for a more pleasing arrangement.

I recommend: Check out a variety of floral water tubes, with information including photos, sizes and construction, at Floral Supply.

Floral adhesive

Although larger flower arrangements can include floral tape or wire as a binder to keep blooms where they need to be, smaller projects like corsages may require floral adhesive to hold buds and embellishments in place. Unlike traditional glues, floral adhesives have formulations to keep flowers looking fresh and natural.

I recommend: Discover specific types and brands of floral adhesive, as well as recommended uses for the product, through Afloral.com.

Flower dye spray

If you need to quickly add color to coordinate a flower arrangement or corsage, or if you simply want to add a colorful highlight to a plain white bloom, flower dye spray can change the hue. The color enhancer can also add deeper shades to decorative flowers and accents.

I recommend: Baskets, Containers & More offers a selection of flower dye spray. Click on the individual products to learn more about their properties, uses and color variations.

Stemming machine

A stemming machine can make it easy to create beautiful arrangements in a foam base by inserting a steel pick into the bottom of a flower stem. Also called a floral-pick machine, the unit can add spikes to fresh, dried or even artificial flowers.

I recommend: See stemming machine images and receive suggestions for possible uses through product descriptions from the Floral Design Institute.

Underwater stem cutter

Help extend the life of the cut flowers you sell by re-cutting the stems underwater as you remove them from shipping containers. An underwater stem cutter, also called an underwater flower cutter, makes it easy to generate these cuts at the proper angle.

I recommend: Primary Products offers an illustration and description of the benefits of using an underwater stem cutter.

Thorn stripper

In addition to its ability to remove dangerous thorns from hand-cut roses, a thorn stripper can also strip away foliage at the bottom of the stem to prevent underwater rotting in floral vase arrangements.

I recommend: Get product information and see illustrations of a thorn stripper in use at the Wildflower Seed Company.

When you're opening your own flower shop, there are several pieces of floral shop equipment you will need right away. Having your shelves stocked and your delivery supplies handy will ensure a smooth opening for you and your new customers. As your business grows, you'll want to research the various types of florists' equipment you and your business will need.

In order to start your flower shop out right, you'll want to learn information about florist equipment for beginners. To open your flower shop, the floral equipment and supplies you'll want to start with include the following.

1. Learn about flower shop equipment.

2. Learn about flower shop supplies.

3. Learn about flower delivery equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find information about flower shop equipment

When you first open your business, there are several pieces of florist shop equipment that you'll need. The basic pieces of equipment include a refrigeration system; flower stands and shelving units; and florist tools, including glue guns, knives, staplers, spray glues, paint, cleaners, stem cutters and corsage items. You can find many of these items on the Internet.

I recommend: Walk-In Cooler offers several flower refrigeration systems. FloralSupply.com offers many of the florist tools you'll need to get your florist shop started. ShopScissors.com offers a variety of florist shears and other tools you'll need in your store.

Find information about flower shop supplies

Now that you have the basic equipment you'll need to set up your flower shop, you'll need to invest in the supplies you'll use on a regular basis. The basic supplies include fertilizer, plant food, pots, vases, moss or other plant packing material and plant packaging material. In order to make your business grow and bring in a lot of customers, you'll want to go beyond the basics. Other supplies you should keep in stock include vase fillers, ribbon, baskets, garden boxes, floral paint and enclosure cards.

I recommend: How to Open a Flower Shop provides a detailed how-to list for opening up your flower shop. WholesaleFloral.com provides many different flower shop supplies at wholesale cost. SpringHill Floral Supply provides more flower shop supplies to choose from. Florist Supplies provides wrapping, baskets, vases and other floral accessories.

Find information about flower delivery equipment

If you plan on offering flower delivery from your store, you're going to need to invest in flower delivery equipment. The biggest investment in delivery equipment you'll make is your delivery vehicle. A van is probably the best way to go, because you can fit multiple delivery orders in it, and make your deliveries at one time of day. You may also want to invest in some equipment that will help make delivering flowers easier and safer. These equipment can help make sure the flowers are as beautiful when delivered as they were in the store.

I recommend: FGMarket.com offers several different products that help you deliver your flowers safely and beautifully. Wrap Smart provides delivery trays to keep your flowers safe while delivering them.