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CARNATIONS CARE – TO GET THE FULL 14 DAYS!

Three tricks to get the best vase life for your carnations in the shop.

Carnations are the most tolerant of mistakes cut flower we carry – virtually any mistake will still yield results. But there are three things you can do which will take care of the standard 10-day vase life of carnations and turn them into reliable performers for any arrangement.  

1 – Cut carnation stems between the nodes

Carnation stems have clearly-visible bulges (nodes) every 3-5cm. Cutting through a node seriously damages the vascular system of the stem and reduces vase life to 5 days maximum, while correctly-cut stems live up to 14 days. Be careful while cutting the stems and try to find the nodes – make each cut between them, in the thinner part of the stem. It is the most common mistake arrangers make when cutting carnations.

2 – Don't use flower food on day 1

Intuitively strange but scientifically true. Carnations are highly sensitive to sucrose concentrations of the standard flower food – using it when cutting the stems will accelerate bud opening, but reduce vase life by 2-3 days. Put carnations in cool water without flower food for the first day, and then add flower food on day two, after the stems will be rehydrated. This trick will increase vase life from 10 days to 13-14.

3 – Avoid placing near fruits or other flowers

Carnations are very sensitive to ethylene – the gas emitted by all ripe fruits (apples, bananas, tomatoes etc.) and other flowers as they age. Ethylene causes premature wilting and curling of the carnation petals. Never place arrangements less than 2 metres from the fruit bowl, and remove any withered flowers from the arrangement (they produce ethylene which harms the neighboring stems). This tip alone will extend vase life of carnations by 4-5 days.

WHOLESALE CARNATIONS SINGAPORE — FAQ

Q1. What's the wholesale price for carnations in Singapore?

Our standard wholesale prices: Vietnam standard carnations from $10.00 inc. GST per bundle of 20 stems, China standard from $12.00 per bundle of 20. Spray carnations (multi-headed) run roughly the same per-bundle price but with 10 stems per bundle since each stem produces 4–6 blooms. There is no separate "trade price" — the price you see is the price everyone pays.

Q2. Do I need a trade account to buy wholesale carnations?

No. Every customer pays the same wholesale price — florists, hotels, event teams, walk-in retail buyers, DIY brides. No application, no membership, no trade-card gate. Walk in to our cold room at 50 Gambas Crescent, or order online.

Q3. What's the minimum order for carnations?

One bundle. There is no minimum order quantity at DWF. Standard carnation bundles contain 20 stems, spray carnation bundles contain 10 stems (since each stem produces multiple blooms). Whether you need 1 bundle for a single bouquet or 50 bundles for a funeral parlour standing order, you pay the same wholesale rate per bundle.

Q4. What's the difference between standard and spray carnations?

Standard carnations: one large bloom per stem, 5–8cm head diameter, the classic single-flower carnation. Used as a focal flower in funeral wreaths, Mother's Day bouquets, and standard arrangements. Spray carnations (also called mini carnations): 4–6 smaller blooms per stem on lateral branches, 3–4cm per bloom. Used as filler, in hand bouquets, and for arrangements where you want carnation's character at smaller scale. Both varieties available from all three of our origins.

Q5. Which carnation colour is most popular in Singapore?

Pink (especially for Mother's Day — pink carnation is the traditional Mother's Day flower) and white (for funeral wreaths and condolence sprays — the standard sympathy carnation colour in Singapore floristry). Red and red-tipped two-tone come third, used for romantic arrangements and Valentine's overflow when premium roses are sold out. We stock all standard colours plus seasonal novelty colours year-round.

Q6. How long do carnations last in a vase?

10–14 days for standard carnations, 8–12 days for spray varieties. With proper care (see the three-step guide above) — specifically the no-flower-food-on-day-one technique and keeping arrangements away from fruit — most Singapore florists routinely get the full 14 days from Colombia standards and 12 days from Vietnam workhorses. Carnations outlast every other flower in our catalogue.