Introduction

Why Care and Handling are so Important

Sourcing

Temperature

Sanitation

Flower Processing and Rotation

Questions

Introduction

Flower Processing and Rotation

Hydrangeas

Floral Foam Basics

Consumer

Finishing Spray

Floral Accounting 101

Questions

BRUCE ECKER

Account Manager, Postharvest Technical Advisor
Smithers-Oasis North America/Floralife Inc.

Bruce Ecker has worked as a post harvest technical adviser for Floralife for over 25 years. Bruce is known throughout the industry for his passion for flowers and knowledge of flower care and handling. Bruce is a frequent speaker and educator on postharvest care and handling at wholesalers and industry events throughout North America.

Bruce was born into the floral industry in Waverly, Iowa where he still lives today. His sister Cyndi Ecker continues to run the family’s 80-year-old family business — Ecker’s Flowers & Greenhouses. Bruce’s mother, Bobbi Ecker-Blatchford, was renowned in the floral industry as a sought-after floral designer, commentator and motivational speaker and floral consultant to manufacturers, growers and distributors in the U.S., Canada and South America.  

GARRY LEGNANI Ph.D.

Senior Postharvest Scientist
Smithers-Oasis, Corporate Research

Garry Legnani has worked as a post-harvest research scientist for Smithers-Oasis for over 15 years. Garry is involved in product development for Smithers-Oasis and Floralife, contributing to improvements in floral foam flower life performance and post-harvest products used by flower growers, wholesalers, and florists.

Garry holds a Ph.D. in Post-Harvest Horticulture from Cornell University. In addition to his research responsibilities, Garry conducts care and handling training and audits for Smither-Oasis/Floralife customers focusing primarily on the wholesale, supermarket, and retail florist channels.