A critical moment between a flower's first bloom and its peak determines how long it will last in a vase. Miss this window, and you'll lose days of enjoyment from your carefully grown blooms.

Flower farmers Liza, Lizzy, and Kenly dive deep into the secrets of perfect harvest timing that dramatically extends vase life. They reveal why early morning cutting makes all the difference (and why noon to 3 PM is catastrophic for your flowers), plus share specific indicators for knowing exactly when to harvest everything from spike flowers to bulbs.

Whether you're growing cut flowers professionally or simply want your garden blooms to thrive indoors, these harvest timing techniques will transform your relationship with flowers. Tag us on Instagram @WildlyNativeFlowerFarm with your favorite flower to harvest and share tips for extending vase life!

Support the show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlynativeflowerfarm/

Website: https://wildlynativeflowerfarm.com/

Hungry Root Code: FLOWER40
Hungry Root Link: https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=FLOWER40&b=1084&utm_source=the-flower-files&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=podcast

Garden Goal Planner: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/gardenplanner

Cut-Flower Guide: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/oyihkn1nwz

Battling aphids on delicate ranunculus, chasing Japanese beetles off prized dahlias, and racing against an incoming thunderstorm to stake sunflowers—these are just glimpses into the not-so-glamorous side of flower farming that we're diving into headfirst.

Flower farmers face a relentless trifecta of challenges: persistent pests, sneaky diseases, and unpredictable weather patterns that can transform a perfect field into a disaster zone overnight. From the vampiric aphids that multiply faster than you can count to the powdery mildew that creeps across zinnias after a single humid night, we're breaking down the enemies and our battle strategies with refreshing honesty.

Growing beautiful flowers isn't just about planting and harvesting—it's about developing resilience and flexibility in the face of challenges that are simply part of working with nature. Ready to transform your growing practices? The lessons we've learned through trial, error, and numerous broken shovels await.

Support the show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlynativeflowerfarm/

Website: https://wildlynativeflowerfarm.com/

Hungry Root Code: FLOWER40
Hungry Root Link: https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=FLOWER40&b=1084&utm_source=the-flower-files&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=podcast

Garden Goal Planner: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/gardenplanner

Cut-Flower Guide: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/oyihkn1nwz

Ever wondered if your choice of cutting tool is affecting your flowers' longevity? In this refreshing deep-dive, mother-daughter duo Liza and Lizzy from Wildly Native Flower Farm tackle the great clipper versus knife debate that divides the floral industry.

The science behind flower cutting is fascinating—creating a clean wound at the stem end significantly impacts water uptake and vase life. As Liza explains, "When you cut a flower, you're making a wound, and how you make that wound affects how long the flower will last." This episode unpacks why traditional florists often prefer the precision of a sharp knife while farmers typically reach for ergonomic clippers when harvesting hundreds of stems in the field.

Join our blooming community on Instagram @wildlynative, where we'll be sharing demonstration reels on proper harvesting techniques and clipper maintenance. Tell us about your preferred cutting tool and why—we'd love to hear from fellow flower enthusiasts who understand there's both art and science behind every perfect cut!

Support the show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlynativeflowerfarm/

Website: https://wildlynativeflowerfarm.com/

Hungry Root Code: FLOWER40
Hungry Root Link: https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=FLOWER40&b=1084&utm_source=the-flower-files&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=podcast

Garden Goal Planner: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/gardenplanner

Cut-Flower Guide: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/oyihkn1nwz