Horticulture Centerpieces

Making centerpieces from cut flowers can be expensive when purchased from a flower shop. A flower shop must mark up all materials at least three times to make a profit. For example a  70 cm stem red rose  from the first bloom is purchased from the  wholesaler for $1.30 with mark-up the flower seller will sell this rose for $5.20.   Stores like Home Depot, Wal-Mart,  Safeway, etc. buy large volumes of three grade roses ( the third or forth bloom) at below wholesale cost and will sell a dozen roses for $17.99.  These roses are not rehydrated properly because there are no qualified florists looking after the flowers. As a result the flowers purchased at these stores because they are of lower quality and are not conditioned properly usually last a few days and they die.  Flowers purchased form a Florist last two to three weeks longer but these flowers cost more because they are of higher quality and they have been stored properly.   A small centerpiece with cut flowers can easily cost  $25 to $35.  You can purchase glass or plastic containers,  floral foam from a Dollarama for a dollar or two,  purchase flowers from Wal-Mart or Safeway for $20 and some greenery and make ten centerpieces that would cost you $350 if purchased from a Florist.   So if you have a dinner party or small banquet to host , go to Dollarama and Safeway's and purchase the items needed for a centerpieces that might cost you $50.