At the Farmers Market: A Bounty of Bouquets

All around the Calabasas Farmers Market on Saturday, multihued flowers were in bloom, just in time for one of the most popular flower holidays.

The eternally popular roses came in subtle shades of ivory to rich tones of red. Lilies, gerberas and other ornamental flowers likewise came in intriguing color combinations.

So if you're saying "Happy Valentine's Day" with a bouquet of flowers, head to the farmers market early next Saturday for the freshest pickings.

Roses of many colors, varieties

At the Eufloria Flowers stall, longtime employee Esther Sanchez had her hands full literally, with bunches of roses. “We expect to be really busy next Saturday,” she said in between tending to customers.

On a normal Saturday in Calabasas, Sanchez estimates that they sell about 150 bunches of roses priced at $5 to $15 per bunch. Along with a possible price increase, she predicts that the number will at least double next Saturday, which is two days before Valentine’s Day.

While red roses will be in high demand as always, Sanchez expects the other bright-colored blooms to sell just as quickly. Over the years, the Nipomo-based grower has earned a stellar reputation for its outstanding variety of over 80 hybrid tea and spray roses.

Andy Koch, a seventh-generation rose grower who traces his roots to mid-19th century Denmark, owns Eufloria Flowers. Koch’s ancestor married the daughter of the king of Denmark’s head gardener. Seven generations later, his family has carried on the tradition of growing roses.

The award-winning grower started using hydroponics, a soil-free, slow-release watering system, back in the 1980s, which ensures the year-round availability of roses. “They last longer too, and you can expect to enjoy them for at least a couple of weeks,” Sanchez said, referring to the average vase life of the premium blooms.

Lilies, mums and more

Over at the Ocean Breeze booth, the sight of calla lilies, gerberas and other ornamental flowers was equally breathtaking.

The vendor is only in its second month at the Calabasas Farmers Market, but employee Casey Martin also anticipates brisk business next Saturday.

“We don’t really know what to expect, since it will be our first Valentine’s Day here, but we’ll be ready with more flowers,” she said.

According to Martin, they have been bringing about 300 floral bunches on Saturdays and usually sell at least half. Oriental lilies, chrysanthemums, birds of paradise and mixed bouquets were also available. Pre-Valentine’s Day prices ranged from $2 to $8.

Most of the Carpinteria-based grower’s blooms last at least two weeks, also owing to its use of hydroponics, Martin said.

Caring for your blooms

To prolong the vase life of your flowers, Sanchez and Martin shared a few tips:

1) Remove leaves and other foliage that will be under water, to prevent bacterial growth.

2) Trim at least half an inch off the bottom of each stem.

3) Use a clean vase.

4) Add fresh, room temperature-water to the vase and add the floral preservative that usually comes with purchase.

5) For flowers with brittle stems, use 1 to 1 ½ inches of water only.

6) Add or replace fresh water daily.

7) Keep your flowers away from heat sources.

The Calabasas Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday at 23504 Calabasas Road, across the street from the Sagebrush Cantina.