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Reading A Flower Order
Reading a Flower Order: Stem Counts, Bunch Sizes, Lengths and Grades Explained
A product listing packs a lot into one line: "Rose Freedom, Red, 50cm, 25 st." If you know how to read it,
that line tells you how many arrangements you can build, what designs the stems are suited for, and
what each stem really costs you.
Whether you're new to ordering or training new staff, this guide breaks down the terms you'll see on
every wholesale order, so you can buy with confidence and avoid surprises when the box arrives.
Stem Counts and Bunch Sizes
Most flowers are sold by the bunch, and bunch size depends on the variety and the farm. Some are sold by the single stem. Always check the stem count on the listing before you compare prices.
Why it matters: a $20 bunch of 25 roses and a $10 bunch of 10 roses are not the same deal. The first
costs $0.80 a stem, the second $1.00. Compare by the stem, not the bunch.
Stem Length
Stem length is listed in centimeters and measured from the cut end to the top of the flower head. Longer stems usually mean a larger head and a higher price, so match length to the design instead of buying the longest available.
Tip: If a design cuts stems down to 12 inches, paying for 70cm stems means paying for length you'll throw away. Buying shorter stems for low work is one of the easiest ways to protect margin.
Grades and Head Size
Grades describe quality and size, and the terms change by flower and by country of origin.
- Roses: usually graded by stem length, which tracks closely with head size. A 70cm rose almost always has a bigger head than a 40cm rose of the same variety.
- Carnations: commonly sold as Fancy (top grade, strongest stems and fullest heads) and Select (one step down, good for everyday work).
- Hydrangea: often graded by head size, such as Select, Premium and Jumbo. Bigger heads fill more space, so one Jumbo can replace two smaller stems.
- Dutch Flowers: graded at auction on length, weight, ripeness and overall quality.
Tip: a higher grade isn't always the better buy. For a full arrangement where flowers sit in a mass, a lower grade can look just as good at a lower cost. Save top grades for focal flowers and designs where each stem shows.
Box Sizes
Flowers ship from farms in standard boxes. You'll mostly see these terms on farm direct and prebook orders:
- QB (quarter box): the smallest standard box
- HB (half box): two quarter boxes' worth
- FB (full box): two half boxes' worth
Stem counts per box vary by flower and stem length, so always confirm the total stems, not just the box size.
Do The Math: Cost Per Stem and Cost Per Design
Once you can read a listing, you can price your work accurately.
double the size of the look.
- Cost per stem = bunch price ÷ stems per bunch. A $20 bunch of 25 roses = $0.80 a stem.
- Cost per design = add the cost of every stem in the recipe, plus the container and supplies.
- Add a little for loss. If you usually lose one or two stems per bunch in processing, build that into the cost
Example: a dozen roses at $0.80 a stem = $9.60, plus 3 stems of greens at $0.30 = $0.90, plus a vase at $4.00 = $14.50 in product before labor.
Quick Reference Glossary
The more fluently you read an order, the fewer surprises you'll have when the box arrives and the more accurately you can price your work. Have a question about a product listing? Your Kennicott sales rep can walk you through it.