Established in 1989, Make Scents Flowers began distributing cut flowers and arrangements to a few local grocery stores. At that time, all that was needed was a carport, a small delivery van, and a couple of part-time employees.

Now, more than 32 years later, Make Scents Flower Distributors Inc. is one of the larger wholesale cut flower distributors in B.C.

We are very proud to be the supplier of fresh cut flowers to several major chain stores throughout B.C and Western Canada. We import cut flowers from South America, the United States and Asia, and then transform those flowers into floral bouquets that are then redistributed to our customers.

Along with the imported flowers, we also purchase cut flowers from our local floral auction. Flowers from all over BC are auctioned off 4 times per week at a facility just blocks away. This allows us to supplement our floral selection while at the same time supporting local growers.

Our Mission

To conduct our business in an honest, reliable and courteous manner.

To treat our customers with respect and provide them with fresh flowers that set the standard for excellence in design and value.

To partner with our employees and suppliers in a relationship of trust, loyalty, honesty and commitment.

Sharing common goals of growth and prosperity

How the Wholesale Industry Operates

Flowers are grown on a global scale. The biggest flower-growing nations are Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, and The Netherlands. But many other countries like South Africa, Israel, Australia, and Malaysia are now investing heavily into the industry.
Many flowers are also still grown locally in British Columbia, although the majority the flowers sold here are imported.
BC growers produce large volumes of alstro, chrysanthemums, roses, lilies, gerberas, tulips, and gladiolas, plus a wide range of potted plants.

 

Distribution

Flowers take a number of routes to the consumer, depending on where they are grown and how they are to be sold. Some growers cut and pack flowers at their nurseries, sending them directly out to the consumer by mail order. Others may be sold to floral brokers who then sell them to wholesale distributors. And finally, some flowers are sent to floral auctions, which grade the flowers and organize them for sale to retailers and other wholesalers. Once distributed to the retailers, the florists then conditions and arranges the flowers for the consumer.

 
Transportation

Some flowers are sent packed flat in boxes. This enables large amounts of flowers to be packed in small spaces like aircraft holds. Other flowers cannot survive for long periods out of water, so these are either sent with their own little water holders on each stem or transported in buckets of water. The latter method extends the life of flowers and reduces labour time as flowers are ready for sale, but obviously also reduces the amount of flowers that can be transported in a given space. This makes their transportation costs much higher.

 

In-Flight Care

Flowers coming from abroad must be sent with care and speed to arrive at their final destination in a good condition. Many exporters cut the flowers, and pack them on the way to the airport to save time. These flowers are often kept in refrigerated conditions at the airport and flown in cooled planes. Special refrigerated trucks transport the flowers to the packers or wholesalers. The less time the flowers spend in transit, the longer time the customer has to enjoy them.

Preparing for Mother’s Day

Certain varieties of cut flowers last longer than others. Carnations, for example, can remain vibrant for long periods. Roses have a shorter vase life, but are prized for their delicate beauty. When buying flowers, be sure to ask your florist how long you should expect your arrangement to last.

Essentials for your flowers…

Keep your flowers in a cool area around 16 to 22 degrees Celsius. Place your flowers out of direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, or any direct drafts. Don’t place your flowers on anything that gives off heat such as TV’s or heating radiators, and avoid leaving your flowers in the car over an extended period of time.

Floral Arrangements 

When your flowers come prearranged in floral foam container, keep the floral foam soaked with water at all times with water containing floral food. Be sure to follow the mixing instructions on the floral food packet. As the arrangement gets older, pluck away dying blooms, in order to keep your centerpiece looking fresh.

Floral Bouquets

When you have flowers that are to be kept in a vase, fill the vase with fresh water containing the floral food supplied by your florist. Always use lukewarm water – there is less oxygen in it, and helps prevent air bubbles in the stem that will block water uptake. It also encourages some flowers to open up. The only exception to this is spring bulb flowers like daffodils, tulips and iris’s, which prefer cold water.When the water in the vase becomes cloudy, replace the entire contents of the vase with fresh water and floral food. Re-cut the stems with a sharp knife… removing 1″ to 2″ off the stem. Remove the leaves that will be below the water line to discourage bacterial growth that can harm the flowers.

Why use floral food… and what is it?

Floral food contains the correct ingredients to feed the flowers properly. It is also designed to keep bacteria at bay (which blocks stems from water uptake). Preservative also encourages buds to open, and lengthen the life of the flowers. In all, the preservative is scientifically tested to make your flowers last longer.

It is one of the best and easiest ways to extend the life of your flowers. It is very important to follow the directions on the package. Improperly mixed floral food can do more harm than good!

Ask for cut flower food if it is not already supplied by your florist.

HOLIDAY	2021	2022	2023
New Year’s Day	Fri Jan 1	Sat Jan 1	Sun Jan 1
Valentine’s Day	Sun Feb 14	Mon Feb 14	Tue Feb 14
Intl. Women’s Day	Mon Mar 8	Tue Mar 8	Wed Mar 8
St. Patrick’s Day	Wed Mar 17	Thu Mar 17	Fri Mar 17
Passover	Mar 28 – Apr 3	Apr 16 – 22	Apr 6 – 12
Easter Sunday	Sun Apr 4	Sun Apr 17	Sun Apr 9
Admin/Secretaries Day	Wed Apr 21	Wed Apr 27	Wed Apr 26
Cinco de Mayo	Wed May 5	Thu May 5	Fri May 5
National Teacher’s Day	Tue May 4	Tue May 3	Tue May 2
Nurses’ Week	May 6 – 12	May 6 – 12	May 6 – 12
Mother’s Day (US/Canada)	Sun May 9	Sun May 8	Sun May 14
Father’s Day	Sun Jun 20	Sun Jun 19	Sun Jun 18
Grandparents’ Day	Sun Sep 12	Sun Sep 11	Sun Sep 10
Rosh Hashanah	Sep 7 – 8	Sep 26 – 27	Sep 16 – 17
Yom Kippur	Thu Sep 16	Wed Oct 5	Mon Sep 25
Thanksgiving Day (Canada)	Mon Oct 11	Mon Oct 10	Mon Oct 9
Boss’s Day (US)	Sat Oct 16	Sun Oct 16	Mon Oct 16
Sweetest Day	Sat Oct 16	Sat Oct 15	Sat Oct 21
Halloween	Sun Oct 31	Mon Oct 31	Tue Oct 31
Thanksgiving Day (US)	Thu Nov 25	Thu Nov 24	Thu Nov 23
Hanukkah	Nov 29 – Dec 6	Dec 19 – 26	Dec 8 – 15
Christmas Day	Sat Dec 25	Sun Dec 25	Mon Dec 25

WHERE TO FIND US
Make Scents Flower Distributors Inc.
3777 Marine Way
Burnaby, BC. V5J 5A7

CONTACT US
Phone: 604-433-3552
Fax: 604-439-1266
email: info@makescentsflowers.com