Flowers are supplied by a wholesale florist to floral designers, retail stores, and facilities such as hotels. Wholesalers do not deal directly with the general public, preferring to concentrate on large-volume orders for retail and private clients. Cultivating and managing flowers, locating rare blooms, and meeting tight and sensitive deadlines are all examples of this type of work. Employers may provide on-the-job training, and individuals can also pursue formal education to prepare for a career as a wholesale florist.
Wholesale florists may use a variety of greenhouses and nurseries as a source for their flowers in some cases, in which case staff must place orders quickly. They examine customer requirements, anticipate requests, and communicate with vendors to determine what is available. For more control, a wholesale florist can grow its own flowers in greenhouses and other facilities, where staff can grow, monitor, and harvest flowers as needed.
When the flowers arrive, the staff organizes them so that orders can be filled. Because flowers can quickly turn brown and wilt in the florist industry, orders must be filled with this in mind. Flowers must be packed carefully to avoid bruising and other damage while on their way to their destinations. Large wholesalers may have their own fleet of trucks for deliveries, while smaller businesses may contract this out to a company that uses refrigerated trucks.
A wholesale florist may also provide flower arrangements in addition to filling orders for cut and potted flowers, bulbs, and other related products. Flowers in vases and baskets, wreaths, and seasonal specials are examples of these. Floral designers work on the floor to fill customer orders, which can include generic bouquets for customers from retailers as well as clients such as hotels and hospitals. Wedding planners and other event organizers can also work with a wholesale florist to fill large floral orders at a low cost.
Large refrigerated rooms and other chilled environments, as well as long hours standing to process flowers, are common working conditions at wholesale florists. Personnel may be required to work overtime in cramped, rushed conditions in order to fulfill rush orders. Other employees may work in offices to process orders, interact with customers, and place orders with vendors, which is more convenient. Drivers of floral delivery trucks may be required to pick up flowers from vendors and deliver products to customers over night and over long routes.