Turns out I was wrong. And because of the use of low-cost imports which supply the majority of the flowers we find, 50% of U.S flower farms have gone out of business since 1992. According to an infographic I was sent by SlowFlowers.com founder Debra Prinzing, 75% of Americans don’t know the origins of their flowers (same goes for their food).
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested rose samples purchased from American retailers in 1998. In their tests, they found presence of a dozen different pesticides, including two “probable carcinogens”, one of which was present at a level 50 times higher than permitted in food.
The chemicals and pesticides used on the flowers to keep the crops bountiful and alive for their airplane ride and distribution now guarantees that each time you take a whiff of your gorgeous bouquet, you’re inhaling a shit ton of chemicals, chemicals which also happen to be weapons against bees and other insects important to biodiversity.
Once they arrive, you and your family breathe in those health-harming chemicals (this is why some adults and children report headaches from cut flowers). They then end up in the landfill along with all our other disposable objects, only these chemical filled flowers won’t biodegrade without harm, they will continue to poison the environment as the chemicals work their way into the soil and surrounding wildlife, while the flowers contribute to global warming as carbon monoxide secretes from its slowly degrading core.
1. Ask your florist/grocery/wholesaler for locally grown flowers, if they don’t have them, tell them you would love to see them supply some local options (and don’t support them if they don’t).
3. Try a dried flower bouquet created with flowers who started their life in season and were sequestered organically and ethically.
debra says
Thank YOU Leotie Lovely for mentioning the Slow Flowers movement on your blog! I wanted to let you know that we added members from CANADA earlier this year — and you can find the Canada button on our home page at http://www.slowflowers.com to connect with florists and flower farmers in Canada who are sourcing ethically and locally in their communities!
Debra Prinzing, Slow Flowers Founder/Creative Director
Jones Morris says
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