Florist Career Description
Florists sell flowers, bouquets and plants to clients. Their most general tasks are the design of bouquets, garlands, shoulder sprays and sheaves of flowers. Florists give advice regarding the correct way to handle flowers and how to care for flowers and plants, the decoration of churches and halls for weddings, conferences and a variety of other gatherings and festivities.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Florists take orders for bouquets and plants over the counter or by telephone. If necessary they help the client to choose the right type and colour flowers and to write a message to go with the bouquet.
Every afternoon florists have to go through all the orders for the following day to order the right amount and type of flowers from the wholesale floriculturist. The flowers are delivered to the shop early the next morning and the florist starts by treating the flowers. All the flower sterns are shortened and placed in cold water. Some flowers like Chrysanthemums are placed in boiling water for 30 seconds and then put into cold water. This process ensures that air bubbles are released from the sterns and water absorbency is more effective.
The thorns of flowers like Roses are stripped off as well as all the unnecessary leaves and damaged flowers. After these tasks have been completed, the florists can start to do the day's orders. Not all clients order flowers but prefer to choose from the bouquets in the shop.
Florists usually deliver bouquets and it is the florists' responsibility to see to it that the orders are being delivered on the right time and place. Florists must also see to it that the shop has sufficient stock like pots, ribbons, oasis, baskets, ornaments and cards. A variety of pottery, pots and glass vases are available for special orders.
Florists usually handle all managing and administrative tasks by themselves. Depending on how big the business is, they can do the bookkeeping themselves or otherwise get an accountant to do it for them. They send out the accounts and write invoices for all the orders. Florists can receive and send orders world-wide.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need?
A love and interest in flowers and plants, creativity, an artistic aptitude, a refined attunement for colour and business skills are important characteristics florists must possess.
Where can I work?
The success of florists that work hard still depends on the success of the shop. Different factors like the location of the shop, how the prices compare with those of other florists, the service rendered and how attractive the shop is, determine the success of such an undertaking.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
This is an excellent occupation for the self-employed. Florists with the necessary experience can start their own florist shops or work on contract basis and do the flowers for weddings and dinner parties.
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