What you need:

• Wear black clothes (or Levis)
• sturdy shoes (no heals)
• $in lots of $5's and $1's in a small envelope 
• list of what you want & or photos in folder w/pockets 
• an alarm clock - you're going to need to get up early

An Insiders Guide to Buying Wholesale Flowers!

If you want to have the largest selection of flowers, you go to a Flower Mart.  There are flower marts in most major cities.  If you don't live in a major city, many grocery stores have flowers and some sell them as a "loss leader".  Particularly, if you are lucky enough to live in a town that has a Trader Joe's, you can get a fairly wide selection of flowers.  And when peonies come into season, they have the best prices.   You also can't beat their orchid prices.

There is a flower district, where I live. Each vendor in the Flower District keep the same hours.  By the way, they are not the hours that you and I keep. Some days they open to the trade from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m, and other days they open at 5 a.m.  They generally open to the public right after they close to the trade.  If you are coming right after they close to the trade,  you had better make sure that you are there as soon as they open to the public, because some wholesalers start wheeling their racks of flowers into the coolers as soon as the "to the trade" hours are over.  Its a good idea to look up the schedule ahead of time, and check the holiday schedule as well.

Another tip: NEVER park at a meter.  You may think,"Oh, I'm just going to run in and get this and get out," or "I'm picking up and order and they know I'm coming and they have it all ready."  When you enter the mart, it's like entering a vortex.  You loose track of time.  You have immediate sensory overload, and believe me, as many times as I have been, I always get sensory overload and have to keep reminding myself, "I'm going to ..... and getting....".  It's not fun to come out a couple of minutes late and see a $50.00 ticket waiting for you on your windshield. 

When I go to the mart, I wear all black.  I wear black Levis, a black shirt, black shoes or sandals, and a black jacket.  Florists wear all black or Levis.  You know, there is an old saying, "If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck."  You don't go to the mart to look cute, or to be chatting up your friends.  You go on business.  You need to look and act the part.

Take a list of what you want and where you want to get it. You can take pictures too.  I use a black folder with 2 inside pockets.  Buying at the mart is an all cash deal.  Estimate the money you need and then bring $20.00 extra.  Everything happens fast and the vendors don't like having to give change for large bills.  Bring your money in 5's and 1's in a little envelope.

When you select the flowers you want, either someone will come over and take them to the wrapping counter for you, or you can take them to the wrapping counter. They will wrap them in newspaper and tie them with string.  You can carry the bundles, or if you have ordered a lot from one vendor, they may send someone with you to your vehicle.  If they do, tip the guy.

And remember your street smarts.  Be prepared to "put on that look" and walk past whatever you may encounter on the street.  Walk at a good clip. Never have your wallet "out there".  If you carry a purse, wear it across your shoulders and carry the front of your bag in front of you, with your arm across it. Never open your purse or wallet on the street.  Be aware of what's going on around you.  Sometimes it's better to cross the street, when there is any question.  But, if you are mugged, you still have the flowers.

Now, are you ready for an adventure?  Here we go.