A SHOPPER’S GUIDE TO VALENTINE’S DAY FLOWERS

The cost of flowers and plants for Valentine’s Day is generally 33% to 50% above normal prices than other times of the year. According to local florists, the increases are due to harsh weather conditions, limited quantities of specific flowers in high demand and charges by growers. As lovers await the arrival of long-stemmed roses on Feb. 14, area florists are encouraging consumers to consider selecting other flowers to express their love and to make orders as soon as possible. Here’s a sampling of county florists and their estimated prices for Valentine’s Day orders.

Florist: The Black Iris 2950 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach (714) 497-2282 Single Rose: $7.50 1 Dozen Roses Long-Stemmed: Vase: $75 Box: Same 1 Dozen Carnations: Not available Vase/Box/Other: Other Floral Arrangements: $35 and up Wire Service Fee/Minimum Flower Cost: $7.50/$30 Local Delivery Charge: $5 Hours of Operation: 8-6 Mon.-Fri.; 9-5 Sat. Hours on Valentine’s Day: 8-8 Florist: Brookhurst Florist 13351 Brookhurst, St. Fountain Valley (714) 537-2041 Single Rose: $3.75 1 Dozen Roses Long-Stemmed: Vase: $52.50 Box: $48 1 Dozen Carnations: Vase/Box/Other: $27.50 vase/$18 box Other Floral Arrangements: $17.50 and up Wire Service Fee/Minimum Flower Cost: $6.50/$20 Local Delivery Charge: $2.50 Hours of Operation: 8:30-8 Mon.-Fri.;8:30-5 Sat. Hours on Valentine’s Day: 8:30-7 Florist: Compani’s Flowers 3338 Yorba Linda Blvd., Fullerton (714) 996-5228 Single Rose: $5 1 Dozen Roses Long-Stemmed: Vase: 60-65 Box: Same 1 Dozen Carnations: Vase/Box/Other: $22 vase/ $18 box Other Floral Arrangements: $30 and up Wire Service Fee/Minimum Flower Cost: $6.50/$25 Local Delivery Charge: $3.50 Hours of Operation: 9-7 Mon.-Fri.;9-6 Sat. Hours on Valentine’s Day: 8-8 Florist: Conroy’s Florist 14725 Jeffrey Road, Irvine (714) 551-4262 Single Rose: $4.50 1 Dozen Roses Long-Stemmed: Vase: $49.95 Box: Same 1 Dozen Carnations: Vase/Box/Other: $4-10 vase/ $8.98 box Other Floral Arrangements: $22.50 and up Wire Service Fee/Minimum Flower Cost: $6.50/$25 Local Delivery Charge: $4.50 Hours of Operation: 8-9 daily Hours on Valentine’s Day:8-9 Florist: Galaxy Flowers & Gifts 5230 Beach Blvd., Buena Park (714) 521-5053 Single Rose: $5.50 1 Dozen Roses Long-Stemmed: Vase: $57.50 Box: Same 1 Dozen Carnations: Vase/Box/Other: $25 Other Floral Arrangements: $22.50 and up Wire Service Fee/Minimum Flower Cost: $7/ $20 Local Delivery Charge: $4 Hours of Operation:9-7 Mon.-Fri.;9-6 Sat.; 10-4 Sun. Hours on Valentine’s Day: 8-8 Florist: Party Plea-Z-Ers Florists 1166 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa (714) 546-2211 Single Rose: $6.50 1 Dozen Roses Long-Stemmed: Vase: $67.50 Box: $65 1 Dozen Carnations: Vase/Box/Other: $27.50 vase/ $25 box Other Floral Arrangements: $25 and up Wire Service Fee/Minimum Flower Cost: $7/ $25 Local Delivery Charge: $5 Hours of Operation: 9-6 Mon.-Fri.;10-6 Sat.; 10-4 Sun. Hours on Valentine’s Day: 9-7 Florist: Grand Central Florist 385 W. Central Ave., Brea (714) 255-1377 Single Rose: $5.50 1 Dozen Roses Long-Stemmed: Vase: $55 Box: Same 1 Dozen Carnations: Vase/Box/Other: $25 Other Floral Arrangements: $20 and up Wire Service Fee/Minimum Flower Cost: $7/ $20 Local Delivery Charge: $3 Hours of Operation: 10-6 Mon.-Fri.;10-4 Sat. Hours on Valentine’s Day: 8-9 Florist: Susan’s Flowers 16293 Harbor Blvd., Fountain Valley (714) 839-1010 Single Rose: $4.50 1 Dozen Roses Long-Stemmed: Vase: $60 Box: Same 1 Dozen Carnations: Vase/Box/Other: $27 Other Floral Arrangements: $22 and up Wire Service Fee/Minimum Flower Cost: $8/ $20 Local Delivery Charge: $3 Hours of Operation: 9-6:30 Mon.-Sat. Hours on Valentine’s Day: 8-7 Florist: Flowers By Morri 448 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa (714) 645-8144 Single Rose: $6 1 Dozen Roses Long-Stemmed: Vase: $65 Box: Same 1 Dozen Carnations: Vase/Box/Other:$25 Other Floral Arrangements: $25 and up Wire Service Fee/Minimum Flower Cost: $7.75/ $25 Local Delivery Charge: $3.50 Hours of Operation: 8:30-5:30 Mon.-Fri.;8:30-4 Sat. Hours on Valentine’s Day:7:30-6 VALENTINE FAVORITES Those Valentine’s Day favorites, cut flowers and potted plants, made a big comeback in 1988, the most recent year for which information is available. Production of cut flowers reached a high point for the ‘80s as did their F.O.B. (Freight On Board) value. The production of potted plants also increased, though less spectacularly. Their value, however, dipped 5%. Here’s the picture of production and value for both crops:

CUT FLOWERS

% Change From ** F.O.B. Year * Production Prior Year Value 1988 958,828 +261 $2,017,000 1987 265,681 +104 1,611,600 1986 130,234 -46 1,545,200 1985 240,535 -55 1,586,200 1984 532,830 +178 1,598,500 1983 188,678 +23 1,233,000 1982 152,781 -68 1,403,300 1981 475,362 -15 1,216,100 1980 558,404 -- 1,426,500 Nine-Year Total 3,503,333 -- $13,637,400 Nine-Year Average 389,529 -- $1,515,267

% Change From Year Prior Year 1988 +25 1987 +4 1986 -3 1985 -1 1984 +30 1983 -12 1982 +15 1981 -15 1980 -- Nine-Year Total -- Nine-Year Average --

POTTED PLANTS

% Change From ** F.O.B. Year * Production Prior Year Value 1988 6,295,506 +12 $9,883,900 1987 5,637,891 +1 10,430,100 1986 5,584,898 -8 10,771,200 1985 6,053,887 Less than 1% 9,746,800 1984 6,082,812 -17 11,374,900 1983 7,294,547 +13 13,102,300 1982 6,444,129 -12 12,108,200 1981 7,286,107 -24 15,300,800 1980 9,577,982 -- 20,401,100 Nine-Year Total 60,257,759 -- $113,119,300 Nine-Year Average 6,695,307 -- $12,568,811

% Change From Year Prior Year 1988 -5 1987 -3 1986 +11 1985 -14 1984 -13 1983 +8 1982 -21 1981 -25 1980 -- Nine-Year Total -- Nine-Year Average --

* Production for cut flowers is in dozens, potted plants in individual plants

** F.O.B. value is assessed at the first point of delivery and includes the costs of production, harvesting and preparation for market--in effect, the price a farmer recieves when he delivers a crop.

Source: Orange County Agricultural Commissioner; Individual florists