The market for cut flowers is growing, especially for the more exotic flowers.
Flowers are very perishable.
Quality must be very high to ensure time for distribution, consumer acceptance, and repeat purchases. Maintenance of quality requires careful handling from harvest to display in the consumers home. Other flowers, such as orchids must be fully developed before being cut. Damaged and diseased flowers must be immediately discarded as they produce ethylene and spread decay, ruining healthy flowers. Foliage in water will decay, causing damage to the flowers.