![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.themagnoliacompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/bees-on-magnolia-bloom.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFollow These Steps:<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBe Picky!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
We mean it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re considering which flowers to pick, be selective. The flowers that are fully open and displaying their signature look are NOT the flowers you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, look for flowers that are about halfway open. They\u2019ll continue to open when they\u2019re on display. The fully open ones will only wilt when you try and put them out for show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Timing is Everything<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For once, it isn\u2019t all about location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some cultivars of Southern Magnolias grow more blooms than others. Two of the top bloom producing trees are called Kay Parris and Little Gem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We harvested our blooms the day before an event required them. Start the harvesting in the cool early morning hours the day prior to the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By cutting magnolias in the morning when the blooms just begin to open, you know they spend a night with their pollinators. So, if your wedding is on Saturday, wait until Saturday morning to cut your magnolias. Cutting your flowers the day before means you must harvest a larger amount and you must store in water in a refrigerator overnight. You can remove them from the refrigerator 6-8 hours before the event. Keep in water at room temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Proven Professional Techniques<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For best results and to harvest like a pro, consider these tips!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Wear gloves:<\/strong> the oil on our skin turns the flower petals brown.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Leave the stem long:<\/strong> not including the length of the flower, leave the stem of your cutting about 6-8 inches long.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Strip the stem:<\/strong> the leaves are nice for aesthetic purposes, but they aren\u2019t helpful when you\u2019re trying to preserve the flower. Leave the 4-5 leaves that immediately surround the flower (they\u2019re the closest leaves), but get rid of the rest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Go upside down:<\/strong> especially for flowers that are fully open, turn the bloom upside down to dump out excess pollen. You\u2019ll end up with pollen everywhere if you skip this step!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cut and place in water immediately<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cut extras:<\/strong> we know better than anyone that nature is unpredictable, even when you\u2019ve got something down to a science. We recommend cutting 10% more flowers than you think you\u2019ll need. It\u2019s always better to have spares than to be left up the creek without a paddle. We learned this lesson the hard way. If you require 10 flowers, cut 12 and thank us later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.themagnoliacompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/magnolia-bloom-harvest-table.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Real Secret Sauce: Ice, Ice Baby<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before we get into the trade secret that no one talks about, DO NOT PUT YOUR FLOWERS IN THE FREEZER. You\u2019ll just kill them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that we\u2019ve gotten that out of the way\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our garden secret for making sure you get as much time as you can with your magnolia flowers is keeping them cold<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you harvest, prepare a cooler and give it time to get cold. Your cooler should also have cold tubes of water (like the little tubes a single rose comes in) at the ready or small buckets of water for the flower stems to soak in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting your stems in water and into a cool environment is the best way – and really the only way – to see that they stay fresh for as long as possible. Cut your stem, strip the excess foliage, stick the stem into a tube or bucket, and get it in the cooler ASAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re just harvesting for a dinner table arrangement at home, you have the option of bypassing the cooler. Just get those flower stems in water and bring them inside immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coolness delays the sinecense of the flower expiring, just like putting produce in the fridge. In the agribusiness industry, the speed at which professional growers can get the flower cold is a huge deal, and it\u2019s what distinguishes a quality grower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.themagnoliacompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/holding-magnolia-bloom-sq.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.themagnoliacompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/blooms-in-cooler.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nBehind the Scenes with Our Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When we sold cut magnolia blooms, we had a speedy team at the ready. Really, it was like a NASCAR pit crew. We\u2019re based out of Florida, so heat is our biggest adversary. Coolers weren\u2019t just helpful; they were essential tools for making sure we put out a quality product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.themagnoliacompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/magnolia-bloom-wedding.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTransportation, Made Simple<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Your flowers are picked, plucked, pruned, and perfectly chilly. Now what?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First off, take a look at your cooler. Avoid stacking the flowers on top of each other. They can touch, but you don\u2019t want it to be too cramped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember, keep the stems in water. There\u2019s no magic ingredient. You don\u2019t need flower food or any kind of additive in your water. You just need cool water in a cooler or fridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What about ice water? Honestly, we\u2019re not sure. There\u2019s no science that says it makes a significant difference, but it can\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Showing Off Your Petals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Keeping these beauties cool is always your best bet, so if you\u2019re able, prioritize displaying them indoors. If displayed outdoors, avoid full sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it\u2019s time to bring the flowers out, think of them as the final step of whatever you\u2019re doing. Keeping them cold for as long as you can will give you the most time with their perfect fragrance and creamy white elegance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leave them in water. If you\u2019re using the bloom in a bouquet or boutonniere, you must keep the magnolia stem in a water tube (this might require you or your florist to get creative with the boutonniere design). Other blooms will do just fine in a vase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t. Touch. Remember, we harvested with gloves on. You\u2019ll keep your blooms pristine by leaving them alone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Leave the stem long:<\/strong> not including the length of the flower, leave the stem of your cutting about 6-8 inches long.<\/li>\n\n\n\n