It's probably the last thing most people think about when buying roses. But by the time the velvety, vibrant-colored flowers reach a Valentine's Day buyer, most will have been sprayed, rinsed and dipped in a battery of potentially lethal chemicals.
Most of the toxic assault takes place in the waterlogged savannah surrounding the capital of Colombia, which has the world's second-largest cut-flower industry after the Netherlands, producing 62 percent of all flowers sold in the United States.
With 110,000 employees — many of them single mothers — and annual exports of $1 billion, the industry provides an important alternative to growing coca, the source crop of the Andean nation's better known illegal export: cocaine.
But these economic gains come at a cost to workers' health and Colombia's environment, according to consumer advocates who complain of an over-reliance on chemical pesticides.
Colombia's flower exporters association responded by launching Florverde, which has certified 86 of its 200 members for taking steps to improve worker safety and welfare. Florverde says its members have reduced pesticide use by 38 percent since 1998, to an average of 213 pounds of active ingredient per hectare (2.4 acres) per year.
"Every day we're making more progress," said Florverde director Juan Carlos Isaza. "The value of Florverde is that these best practices have now been standardized and are being adopted by the industry."
'Extremely' toxic not uncommon
Nevertheless, 36 percent of the toxic chemicals applied by Florverde farms in 2005 were listed as "extremely" or "highly" toxic by the World Health Organization, Isaza acknowledged.
And unlike in the United States, Colombia has no government regulations about pesticide use inside greenhouses, where toxicity levels tend to rise.
Even with more stringent guidelines, accidents happen.
On Nov. 25, 2003, some 200 workers at Flores Aposentos were hospitalized after fainting and developing sores inside their mouths. Authorities determined this mass poisoning could have been caused by any number of pesticide-handling violations, but fined the company just $5,770.
Government oversight is relatively strict in the United States — in California, each flower farm's pesticide use is available for review on the Internet. But there are no reliable statistics about chemicals used by Colombia's 600-plus flower farms, in part because only a third belong to Asocolflores, the exporters' association, which does keep good records.
The U.S. requires imported flowers to be bug-free, although not necessarily void of chemical residues, as required for edible fruits and vegetables. But the reliable highland tropical climate that drew U.S. flower growers to Colombia and Ecuador is a haven for pests.
This encourages growers to apply a wide range of fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides, some of which have been linked to elevated rates of cancer and neurological disorders and other problems.
Causal links between these chemicals and individual illnesses are hard to prove because chronic pesticide exposure has not been studied in enough detail.
Harvard health study
But researchers have found some disturbing data: The Harvard School of Public Health examined 72 children ages 7-8 in a flower-growing region of Ecuador whose mothers were exposed to pesticides during pregnancy and found they had developmental delays of up to four years on aptitude tests.
"Every time we look, we're finding out these pesticides are more dangerous than we ever thought before and more toxic at lower levels," said Philippe Grandjean, who led the Harvard study published last year.
Carmen Orjuela began suffering dizzy spells and repeated falls in 1997, while working at a flower farm outside Bogota. During the peak season before Valentine's Day, she said her employer forced workers to enter greenhouses only a half-hour after they had been fumigated.
"Those who refused were told they could leave — that 20 people were outside waiting to take their job," said Orjuela, who quit in 2004.
Orjuela's employer, Flores de la Sabana, denied ever disregarding manufacturer-recommended re-entry times, but a toxicology study from Colombia's National University obtained by The Associated Press confirmed that Orjuela's illness was "directly related to an important exposure to potentially toxic chemical substances." A government arbiter finally ordered the company to pay her a pension equal to the $200 monthly minimum wage earned by most workers.
Such problems apparently aren't isolated: a survey of 84 farms between 2000 and 2002, partly financed by Asocolflores, found only 16.7 percent respected Florverde's recommendation that workers wait 24 hours before re-entering greenhouses sprayed with the most toxic of pesticides.
Risks, rewards to organic
Producers say they would love to go organic, especially given the high costs of pesticides. But their risks include infestations and stiff competition from emerging flower growers in Africa and China.
"The biggest hurdle to going organic is that once you're there you have to be prepared to lose your crop," said John Amaya, president of the Miami-based flower unit of Dole Food Co., Colombia's largest flower grower.
Still, U.S. consumers bought $16 million in organic flowers in 2005, and demand is growing by 50 percent a year, according to the Organic Trade Association.
That growth has been helped by "VeriFlora," a certification and labeling program launched by U.S. consumers, growers and retailers including Whole Foods Market Inc. Some 32 farms in Colombia and Ecuador have earned the VeriFlora label, which requires a transition to organic production and, unlike the industry-backed Florverde, bans more than 100 chemicals outright.
"Unfortunately, existing programs have deficiencies that would not fly in the American marketplace," said Linda Brown, vice president of Scientific Certification Systems, which runs the VeriFlora program.
Gerald Prolman, CEO of San Francisco-based Organic Bouquet.com, counts on VeriFlora-certified growers for much of his supply.
"If producers want to distinguish their flowers from the glut of cheap, chemically produced ones in the world right now they need to ensure that their farms have fully incorporated socially and environmentally responsible practices that consumers demand and are willing to pay more for," he said.
FAQs
More than 90 percent of Ecuador's blooms are exported, primarily to the United States, and mostly for two holidays—Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Yet virtually every rose is really an industrial product treated with pesticides and fungicides by a commercial farm before making its way to your sweetheart or mother.
Do store bought roses have chemicals? ›
An often-cited consumer safety study in Belgium in 2016 revealed that the most commonly sold cut flowers in the country — roses, gerberas, and chrysanthemums — were heavily contaminated by pesticide residues.
How do you remove chemicals from roses? ›
Mix one tablespoon of vinegar with one cup of water. Add one and a half tablespoons of baking soda plus one tablespoon of dish soap and one tablespoon of vegetable oil (or any other cooking oil). Stir this mixture into one gallon of water, and spray it on your roses' foliage.
What chemicals are in rose petals? ›
In the petals of Rosa rugosa, four anthocyanins have been identified: cyanidin 3,5-di-O-glucoside, peonidin 3-O-sophoroside, peonidin 3,5-di-O-glucoside, and peonidin 3-O-glucoside, of which the predominant peonidin 3,5-di-O-glucoside represented approx. 85% of all the determined anthocyanin compounds.
Do florists spray chemicals on flowers? ›
The Problem of Pesticide Use in Cut Flowers
Foreign growers have invested too much time and money to jeopardize their product, so it is sprayed heavily with numerous fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides throughout their growing season and prior to shipment.
Can I eat flowers with pesticides? ›
Even if you are sure of the variety, don't just pick any old flower and eat it. Flowers that have been sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals, should be avoided.
Do roses release toxins? ›
All parts of the rose, from the blossom to the leaves are non toxic to humans and safe to consume.
Can I sprinkle baking soda on my roses? ›
Using baking soda for rose black spot fungus
Baking soda diminishes the effects of fungal diseases on common ornamental and vegetable plants. Use the mixture on roses (for black spot fungus) and also on grapes and vines when the fruit first begins to appear.
Do rose petals have pesticides? ›
Yes, rose petals. You can find them as a prepackaged cone now too. Rose productions utilize many pesticides as this flower is normally associated with many pests. These guys come with all kinds of little pests.
Do roses have chemicals? ›
Fragrant compounds in the air
But with over 300 chemicals known to be emitted from roses, there are subtle differences in the make-up of the scent of any rose.
A true rose (Rosa ssp.) is a safe flower to have around your small children. In fact, the petals of all varieties of the rose plant can be eaten and are often used in food recipes.
Do roses need chemicals? ›
Like all plants, roses need three primary nutrients: Nitrogen (the "N" on a fertilizer label), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), plus several secondary and trace elements. Trace elements (boron, chlorine, copper, and iron) promote plant cell and root growth.
Are store bought roses sprayed? ›
It's probably the last thing most people think about when buying roses. But by the time the velvety, vibrant-colored flowers reach a Valentine's Day buyer, most will have been sprayed, rinsed and dipped in a battery of potentially lethal chemicals.
Is flower preservative poisonous? ›
Quick Facts about cut flower food: If you've bought or received flowers, you've likely come across Floralife®, a product that is meant to keep cut flowers fresh. This small package of white powder is certified non-toxic, but it is still not intended for ingestion.
Why do store bought roses have no scent? ›
Today's roses are focused heavily on disease resistance, which is a good thing. They are easier to grow, use less chemicals and more rewarding all around. The problem is the gene in roses that carries disease resistance has proved difficult to make easily compatible with the gene for fragrance.
What happens when people spray flowers with pesticides? ›
It is clear to most people that insecticides sprayed onto open flowers can be highly toxic to bees, even if they are sprayed early in the morning or at night when bees are not present. However, some may not realize insecticides sprayed in the two-week period before a tree flowers can also be toxic to bees.
Are there pesticides on store bought flowers? ›
The researchers found that flowers from the United States are just as likely as those from other countries to hold pesticide residues.
Do store bought flowers have chemicals? ›
Fresh cut flowers are also treated with synthetic pesticides, which persists on the bouquets that make it to supermarkets and some commercial florist shops. Synthetic herbicides and pesticides like glyphosate are known carcinogens that can pollute waterways and seep into drinking water supplies.
What happens if you eat plants with pesticides? ›
Symptoms of pesticide poisoning
Eating fruit or vegetables which have been sprayed with pesticides can cause the following symptoms: Abdominal cramps. Vomiting. Nausea.
Are any flowers toxic to humans? ›
ANSWER: Well, yes and no. Some flowers and flower petals are poisonous. For example, all parts, including the petals of the flower, of all Delphinium species (such as, Delphinium carolinianum (Carolina larkspur)) are highly toxic and may be fatal if eaten.
Pesticides and human health:
Pesticides can cause short-term adverse health effects, called acute effects, as well as chronic adverse effects that can occur months or years after exposure. Examples of acute health effects include stinging eyes, rashes, blisters, blindness, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea and death.
Do roses contain cyanide? ›
Rose hips are edible and for centuries they were regularly consumed by native people of North America where roses were found growing wild. Although rose hip seeds, like other fruits seeds, contain some cyanide yet one would have to consume them in large amounts to develop dangerous side effects.
What's the most poisonous flower in the world? ›
Nerium oleander the sweetly scented killer
The elegant Nerium oleander, the blossoms of which are crimson, magenta or creamy white, is one of the most toxic plants in the world. Every part of the plant, from its stem to its sap, is incredibly poisonous if ingested.
What does the rose do to your body? ›
Rose petals contain polyphenols, antioxidants that work to protect your body from cell damage. The polyphenols in rose tea have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cognitive diseases.
Does soapy water help roses? ›
Insecticidal soaps may provide control of a variety of insect and mite pests of roses including aphids, thrips, scales and the twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae).
What does vinegar do for roses? ›
California's Huntington Botanical Garden and other institutions recommend a spray with ordinary white vinegar as a component to help eliminate black spot. To make the spray, combine 1 gallon water, 1 tablespoon each of white vinegar and baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of canola or superfine horticultural oil.
Is Epsom salt good for roses? ›
They are a fast-acting source for magnesium and sulfur. For soils on the alkaline side, the added sulfur is a benefit. Epsom salts, however, do not contain any of the three major components of most fertilizers—nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium—and therefore would not be a complete fertilizer for roses.
What flower is a natural pesticide? ›
The yellow center of the 'killer chrysanthemum' contains a natural toxin that is a powerful insecticide. This flower, the pyrethrum plant, contains a potent chemical that is made into an effective, and environmentally friendly, insecticide.
What can I do with non organic rose petals? ›
What to do with rose petals
- Make potpourri with rose petals. Roses are known for their beautiful scent, and making potpourri can keep their beautiful essence lasting longer. ...
- Make a dried rose wreath. ...
- Dress fruits with roses. ...
- Make your own rose scrub. ...
- Make rosewater with dried rose petals.
The reason that preserved roses are harmless is because of the chemicals used in the preservation process. They are non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-carcinogenic, non-explosive and non-chemical reactive.
All varieties of roses are edible, but the ones with the sweetest fragrance are likely to have the most flavor. Rose petals can be used to infuse liquids with flavor or added to sugar or butter to boost your favorite recipes.
Are rose petals psychoactive? ›
When smoking rose petals, users tend to feel a slight euphoric rush at the onset. However, this feeling is short-lived and does not stay around for long. Instead of feeling a psychoactive effect, users will feel a boost in mood.
Can smelling flowers make you sick? ›
“Many just smell like grass or earth, but they still have the particles that could irritate you,” Stembel says. For example, chamomile smells earthy, but it's one of the most common irritants; carnations smell more musky, but they can also cause problems for sensitive individuals.
When should you put pesticides on roses? ›
Water your roses first to deter spray burn. Do not spray the roses when other wildlife are active, such as bees, butterflies, birds, cats, dogs and children. The best time to spray is early morning when it is still and the rest of the world is still sleeping or at coffee.
When should you spray pesticides on roses? ›
It is recommended to spray them once around every 7 days or so during the growing season. However, depending on the type of spray that you use, this could range between every 5 to 10 days until the aphids are gone.
What can harm a rose? ›
Rose Diseases
- Black Spot. Black spot (caused by Diplocarpon rosae) of rose. ...
- Powdery Mildew. Powdery mildew (caused by Sphaerotheca pannosa var. ...
- Rust. Rust (caused by Phragmidium mucronatum) on rose foliage. ...
- Botrytis Blight. ...
- Rose Rosette Disease. ...
- Rose Mosaic. ...
- Crown Gall.
Spray Roses are very popular among Florists and DIY consumers because they offer more blooms per stem than the long stem variety that offers a single bloom. They are strong and easy fillers and will always upgrade your floral arrangement.
Do roses contain poison? ›
A true rose (Rosa ssp.) is a safe flower to have around your small children. In fact, the petals of all varieties of the rose plant can be eaten and are often used in food recipes.
Why do shop bought roses have no smell? ›
The science behind the scent…
Scientists have discovered that roses that have been bred for durability and their looks have lost their scent because this scent gene is removed.
What is the difference between a regular rose and a spray Rose? ›
What is spray rose? A spray rose is smaller and miniature version of common rose. Spray roses aren't used to make fresh flower bouquets as these are smaller and have short stems. For making table-top centerpieces, corsages and small floral arrangements, spray rose is the go-to option.
Using a can of ordinary hairspray, you simply work your way around the rose covering the petals, stem and leaves with the liquid. The hairspray holds the petals firm and prevents them from falling off while hung upside down.
Can you spray real roses? ›
SURFACE PAINTING FRESH FLOWERS. Spray painting is by far the easiest way to change the color of most varieties of fresh cut flowers. There are different brands of paint available as well as various types of paint. There are also a few different methods of painting.
What are sprayed roses? ›
Spray Roses are miniature standard roses that have multiple small blooms per stem. Petite and beautiful, spray roses generally have 3 to 5 heads and are perfect as an accent flower or bunched together to make a larger arrangement.
Can roses make you sick? ›
Rose thorns can deliver bacteria and fungi into your skin and cause infection. To protect yourself while picking roses or gardening in general, wear protective clothing like gloves.
