How Walk-In Cold Rooms Support the Floral and Horticulture Industry

Fresh flowers and plants require careful temperature control to maintain their vibrancy, longevity, and quality. Without proper storage, flowers wilt quickly, reducing their market value and shelf life.

For florists, garden centres, and horticultural suppliers, walk-in cold rooms provide an optimal environment for extending the life of cut flowers, potted plants, and wholesale floral inventory. These temperature-controlled rooms slow the ageing process of flowers by maintaining consistent cooling, humidity control, and air circulation.

This guide explains how walk-in cold rooms benefit the floral and horticulture industry, ensuring flowers and plants remain fresh and market-ready for longer periods.

Why Temperature-Controlled Storage Is Essential for Flowers and Plants

Unlike fruits and vegetables, flowers continue to metabolise after being cut, making them highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

✔ Fresh-cut flowers require cool storage to slow respiration.
✔ Potted plants need humidity control to prevent dehydration.
✔ Bulbs and seedlings benefit from cold stratification to enhance germination.

Failure to store flowers in a climate-controlled environment can lead to:

• Petal discoloration and wilting.
• Faster moisture loss, reducing vase life.
• Bacterial growth leading to mould and decay.

A walk-in cold room ensures flowers remain fresh, reducing waste and increasing profits for florists, supermarkets, event planners, and nurseries.

How Walk-In Cold Rooms Benefit the Floral and Horticulture Industry

1. Extends the Shelf Life of Fresh Flowers

A custom floral cold room maintains low temperatures to slow respiration and reduce ethylene production, which accelerates flower ageing.

✔ Ideal temperature range: +2°C to +8°C.
✔ Humidity control systems prevent dehydration.
✔ Ventilation prevents stale air buildup.

This setup helps florists and wholesalers keep flowers fresh for weeks instead of days.

2. Improves Storage and Inventory Management

Walk-in cold rooms provide better organisation for large flower inventories:
✔ Adjustable shelving for storing different flower varieties.
✔ Dedicated sections for potted plants and bouquets.
✔ Temperature-zoned areas for different plant species.

This setup ensures that each flower type is stored under optimal conditions, reducing spoilage.

3. Maintains Humidity Balance for Potted Plants

Unlike dry storage areas, a floral cold room maintains the right humidity level to prevent:
✔ Wilting in delicate flowers like roses and lilies.
✔ Drying out of potted plants and seedlings.
✔ Premature browning and petal shedding.

By balancing temperature and humidity, businesses ensure that flowers look fresh for longer periods.

4. Prevents Bacterial Growth and Mould

Flowers stored at incorrect temperatures develop:
✔ Stem rot and fungal infections.
✔ Mould growth due to condensation.
✔ Unpleasant odours from bacterial decay.

Walk-in cold rooms feature:
✔ Proper airflow circulation to remove excess moisture.
✔ Hygienic stainless steel shelving to reduce contamination.
✔ Anti-bacterial coatings to prevent mould growth.

This setup ensures that flowers remain fresh, clean, and sellable.

5. Enhances Transport and Event Planning

For businesses handling large-scale flower deliveries or event planning, walk-in cold rooms:
✔ Maintain flower freshness for weddings, corporate events, and floristry arrangements.
✔ Allow bulk storage for peak seasons like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.
✔ Provide pre-conditioning space for flowers before transportation.

By storing flowers in a stable environment, businesses reduce losses and improve product quality for customers.

Key Considerations When Installing a Floral Cold Room

1. Choosing the Right Temperature Zones

Different plants and flowers require specific temperature settings to maintain freshness:

• Tropical flowers (orchids, hibiscus): +10°C to +15°C.
• Roses, lilies, and carnations: +2°C to +8°C.
• Bulbs and seedlings (for storage before planting): +1°C to +5°C.

A multi-zone cold room ensures that each flower type is stored at its ideal temperature range.

2. Selecting the Right Refrigeration System

The refrigeration system determines efficiency and temperature consistency.

Split Refrigeration Systems

✔ Best for large floral warehouses.
✔ External condenser unit expels heat efficiently.
✔ Lower humidity fluctuations.

Monobloc Refrigeration Systems

✔ Compact, self-contained unit.
✔ Ideal for small florists or garden centres.
✔ Easier to install, with no external condenser needed.

3. Backup Power and Monitoring Systems

Flowers are highly perishable, making backup power essential:
✔ Generators prevent losses during power cuts.
✔ Temperature monitoring systems send alerts if conditions change.
✔ Smart climate controls adjust humidity levels in real-time.

These features help protect valuable floral inventory from spoilage.

4. Clean Room Standards for Floral Storage

A well-designed cold room must meet hygiene and safety standards:
✔ Non-porous wall panels for easy cleaning.
✔ Proper air circulation to prevent condensation buildup.
✔ Filtered air intake to reduce pollen contamination.

Maintaining clean storage conditions ensures that flowers stay fresh and free from bacteria or mould.

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